#davrin Fluff

[loveandfictionforall]

Prompt: Davrin, caught in the rain, angsty but romantic :)

Their relationship was on a rocky path. Directly after recruting Davrin, you had to make the tough choice between Minrathous and Treviso. It made the whole team dynamic change. Neve wouldn't come back for a while, Lucanis was often tense, resulting to more appearances of Spite and that in turn made Davring tense. You could hear them often arguing, bordering on being mean to each other while they wound themselves up. It was a reason why you never went with both of them on missions, even when it would be most profitable. Every choice you made, gave you the feeling, Davrin disapproved of them. Sometimes he even voiced it.

So it was really surprising when he requested you to walk with him through the Arlathan Forest.

To be honest, it was really uncomfortable. Assan was flying about, always being near but far enough that he was always in your eyesight. The same didn't go for Davrin, who walked beside you in a brisk walk, tense shoulders and deafining silence. It made you uncomfortable. At first it was because it was *him*. You knew you had your differences but your heart didn't want to listen. Instead it hammered away, making your stomach squirm with those dreadful butterflies and you could always feel your cheeks getting redder by the second when he looked at you or you appreciated him while he was sparring in the open - without a shirt on. No, you shouldn't think about it. There would never come something out of it. And that thought made your stomach churn and your heart shudder in pain.

"Sooooo...", you began, awkwardly swinging your arms. "Why am I here?"

Davrin shoot you a side-eye glance. "I didn't make you come, you can always go.", was his response. A answer that made you gulp. You could feel how your heart sank into your stomach. Awkwardly you coughed slightly. So he didn't want to repair the strained bond?

"Uhm... Now I'm so far away from the Eluvian, I have no reason leave you here.", your reasoning didn't even make sense and you winced when you saw how Davrin raised an eyebrow at you. You coughed again slightly. Uncomfortable you bit on your lip, your sigh travelling past Davrin but snapping back to him when he heaved a big sigh.

"Look..", he started and turned his eyes away. "I though maybe we could talk. You could be a good leader...-", your eyes got bigger. You could feel how your emotions mixed together into a unhealty ball of anger.

"I *could* be a good leader? Are you saying I'm not doing good work?", you questioned him and by the way he furrowed his brows, you could already see the answer in him.

"No, you're not.", his voice shot clean like an arrow. Irritated you huffed.

"Yeah, you would be so much better. Do you know how difficult and destroying it is to make those tough decisions and knowing you can't help everyone?", you bit back in anger. The conversation shouldn't happen like that. Davrin and you shouldn't be so angry at each other.

"I would be better.", he snapped back, turning to you in his anger while stopping dead in the tracks. "Did you see Neve? How she looks? You're doubting every decision you made and that makes her only more angry at you! Have you even talked to her?" His words cut you deep. Mixed with your unrequited and dumb feelings, you just wanted to cry. You even had no words to say anymore.

And while you two were so focused on each other, you didn't notice how the normally clear blue sky turned grey and stormy. If you had noticed it, you would have even wondered when it last rained or even stormed in Arlathan. Everytime you were there, it was sunny and warm. So it took you both by surprise when the first rain drop landed on your nose. You hadn't even time react before the sky opened and rain poured heavy onto the ground, accompanied with heavy growling in the sky.

With wide eyes you stared up to Davrin who looked as shocked as you. Quickly he grabbed your arm before running straight through the woods. Some of the branches smacked you dead in the face while you still followed blindly Davrin.

"What are you doing?", you screamed against the heavy downpour and loud thunder.

"There is a cave.", was his own scream as he tugged your arm with him through the forest. You were focused on your legs, trying to catch up since Davrins longer legs were faster than yours. When he stopped, you weren't quick enough and instead you ran against Davrins wet, but lean form. And then you noticed, that the sounds were a bit muffled, no rain was slapping on your wet head and it was darker than before.

Before you could even say something, Davrin let go of your arm and instead worked through his hair. You felt breathless, staring at him while he looked past you.

"Look.", he stared again and involuntarily you tensed. His eyes met yours.

"I'm sorry. I should have said that. It was wrong from me. You aren't a bad leader and I see how much you're struggling with everything. It just makes me so angry that you don't talk to me..- I mean, to us. Instead you just try to help everybody but not yourself.", when Davrin finished, he finally met your eyes.

"You want that I talk to you?", to be honest you hadn't heard past that. It was like your body wasn't able to, your heart fluttering in hope.

"You never talk with me.", he quietly admitted.

"I though, you don't like me.", your honesty shocked him, you could see it by his eyes widening.

"What? No! I really like you!”, Davrin stopped dead in his tracks until he suddenly cursed in a language you couldn’t understand. What you could understand, was how your body reacted to his words. You didn’t want to hope but every fiber of your being did it anyway.

“I like you too.”, you quietly admitted, your voice small and shy. It was the hearty, warm chuckle of Davrin who made you look up. Not that you could see a lot since he grabbed you in a firm grip and pulled you towards him in a deep and reassuring hug.

“We are some idiots.” Davrin declared as he pulled you closer, tucking you under his chin and pressing a soft kiss on your head.

“Do you want to go out with me? On a date? Only if you want? I know a beautiful lake here that I know you would love.” It was cute how Davrin stammered, tumbling over his words. You could hear his heart beating, faster than normal, matching yours really good.

“I would love to.”, you whispered.

[wolfsong-the-bloody-beast]

I love how you can tell that he's smiling when he says the last part. 💕

[dreamdragonkadia]

A/N: I honestly didn’t have a clear plan when I started writing this, but I just really wanted to give Davrin some love and see where it would go. Elf Rook

The recent mission had wrapped up with little fanfare. There were no flirtatious glances across the dinner table, no heated, whispered invitations lurking behind closed doors. And yet, somehow, you’d still ended up here: in his room, in his bed, cradled in his arms. Davrin wasn’t about to complain, not when you were looking at him like he was the only thing that mattered. It was the gaze of a hunter satisfied with their quarry. Your nails traced the intricate lines of his Vallaslin, almost reverently, as his thumb drew soft circles into your hip.

“You know,” you murmured, cupping his cheek with a tenderness that caught him off guard. “I don’t really remember my clan.” Davrin’s brow furrowed slightly. Besides the Antivan Crows, you never spoke about your past, never hinted at the life you’d left behind. He’d come to believe it was a locked door you had no intention of opening. But now, your fingers drifted from his markings to your own, a soft hum escaping your lips as if lost in memories he couldn’t reach.

He tilted his head, searching your eyes. “You’ve never mentioned them before.”

A faint, rueful smile curled at your lips. “There wasn’t much to say. It was a lifetime ago.” Your thumb traced along his jawline, almost as if grounding yourself in the present. “Sometimes I wonder if I made them up—if I was ever really part of them at all. But then I see your Vallaslin, see my Vallaslin and it feels like... like something I’ve forgotten.”

Davrin’s grip on your hip tightened slightly, pulling you closer as if he could shield you from whatever ghosts haunted your memories. “You belong here,” he said softly, voice tinged with a rare, gentle insistence. “With me.”

Your eyes softened, and you leaned in, pressing a kiss to the corner of his mouth. “That’s the first thing I’ve been certain of in a long time.”

The room fell into a silence, the only sound being Assan ruffling his feathers from where he laid behind the wall. Your fingers continued their path along his Vallaslin, and he let himself relax into the sensation, eyes fluttering closed. It felt like a promise, one he wasn’t sure he deserved but was willing to fight for anyway.

“Tell me,” you said after a moment, voice hushed as if speaking too loudly might shatter the fragile peace. “What do your markings mean?”

His eyes opened, locking onto yours. “Strength,” he whispered, voice rough around the edges. “The kind you only find when you have something worth fighting for.”

You smiled, and it felt like the first ray of sunlight after a long winter’s night. “Good,” you replied, curling closer into his chest. “I need you to remember that.”

[thewardenisonthecase]

Honey and Lavender

Lucanis Dellamorte x Grey Warden!Rook

Read on AO3

Summary: Rook has never been in a relationship before. Lucanis is bad at communicating his feelings. One simple act of making dessert has strange consequences.

A/N: This was inspired by a post I saw and that scene that didn't make it into the game.

word count: 2,814

The job was not yet done. 

Caterina was still being held captive and Ilario still lived. There was still much to be done, but a small weight had just recently been pulled off his back. 

Him and Dawn. Together. 

Lucanis had contemplated how he would do it - how he’d show her how much he cared. He had never had a relationship before, his previous attempts failing spectacularly. He spent a few nights thinking about his options. Knives were out of the question, and he didn’t think he could pull off those grande declarations of love that often happened in the romance novels he read. 

No, Lucanis had to play to his strengths, and if there was one thing he knew how to do well - besides killing - was cooking. 

So he got to work, making cioccolata calda just for her. He smiled, fondly remembering that night at Café Pietra. His cousin had just left and he decided to inquire about her sweet tooth. 

“I only discovered it once I left the Circle.” She had explained in between drinking. “We weren’t really allowed this sort of food in the Gallows, but once I was out, I got to indulge in all sorts of sweets Thedas had to offer.” She shook her head and chuckled. “It only got worse after I became a Warden. I swear, the taint makes your stomach grow in size with how hungry I felt.” 

Lucanis also remembered another part of their conversation, one that had left him surprised. 

“Like a kiss goodbye, huh? And how would a first kiss be?” She asked. 

“Honey and lavender cream. Sweet, intriguing…and you? How would you describe it?” 

He noticed how Dawn’s cheeks had turned red in embarrassment, as she looked down. “I, uhm, wouldn’t be able to tell.” She sighed. “I can’t describe something I’ve never had.” 

“Oh. I see.” 

“There’s just never been…well.” She said, hesitating. 

Lucanis did his best to hide his shock. He’d thought a woman like her would have had more experience in this department than him. But it seemed the two had that in common. 

“In matters of the heart, one must be discerning.”  

Dawn looked at him, and he swore he saw a small glint in her eyes. “When it’s right, you know.” 

And now, he did know. 

. 

Lucanis confused Dawn in a way no man had before. 

First, he’d completely ignore her feeble attempts at flirting, only for then to almost kiss her before walking away, never addressing what happened. 

He pulled away and now she had known why, after visiting his mental prison in the Fade, the one he had made for himself. She thought that after all that, he would put even more space in between them as he sorted himself out, but instead, Lucanis had made dessert just for her. 

What did it all mean? 

The dinner alone and food all for herself had been good. They had talked, only a little, but it had warmed her heart. She knew he had feelings for him, and the gesture only solidified that but she was still confused. 

Dawn asked Davrin, her closest friend, what he thought of it. He put it in the simplest terms. 

“It means he likes you.” 

That had been followed by a long rant about the dangers of ‘involving yourself with an Antivan Crow’ but it only brought a frown to her face. 

If he liked her, why didn’t he say so?

Of course, the dessert had been great, but Dawn never had been in a relationship. Could she even call it that? Sure, she liked him and he liked her, but was that enough to say they were together? 

They hadn’t actually talked about that, and she felt too embarrassed to bring it up, so things continued as they used to. 

Bad attempts at flirting and stolen glances. But there had been new development. There were times where she’d turn around and find him looking at her, a stupid grin on his face. 

Where before he’d turn away, once he was caught, now he’d smile. Actually smile at her. 

Maker, what was happening. 

. 

It all came to a head because of Davrin. 

It was late in the afternoon, and the warden elf had decided to do some sparring with Lucanis. His reasoning had been “If you plan on killing a god, you have better be ready for it.” 

The crow smirked. “So you want me to pretend you’re Ghilna’ain and attempt to kill you?” 

“Don’t even think about it, Lucanis.” Davrin said, getting into a fighting stance. 

They began to throw a few punches, none that really hit as both men kept dodging. They went on like that for a couple minutes, until things began to get heated. 

“Be careful, you two.” Rook said, as she approached the two men.

“Rook!” Lucanis said through gritted teeth, as he tried to pry Davrin off of him. “What…are…you doing here?” 

“Davrin asked me to watch and make sure you wouldn’t try something when his guard was down.” 

“If anyone’s trying anything, it’s him.” Finally, he managed to shove the Warden away. “I say we’re done for today.” 

“What? Scared to embarrass yourself in front of your girlfriend?” Davrin had taunted, a smirk on his face. He had meant it to be playful, unaware of what would happen next. 

Rook made a sound that was a mixture of a nervous cough and a laugh. “Girlfriend?” 

“Why, yes? Aren’t you two a thing now, after all that dessert.” 

“Yes.” 

“No.” Lucanis and Rook had said, at the same time. She looked at him confused. “No, we aren’t…right, Lucanis?”

“I…I thought we were.”

She crossed her arms, and Davrin took a step back. “But then why didn’t you say anything.” 

Lucanis frowned, matching her confusion. “But I did. The dessert…” 

“I thought that was just your way of saying thank you. I didn’t think you were asking me to be with you.” She said, a little sharper than she intended. 

Lucanis looked at her with saddened eyes. “Rook…” 

“I-” She began to say but stopped herself. She rubbed her forehead and sighed heavily, before turning around and saying. “Sorry, I-I have to go.” 

They watched as she ran inside the Lighthouse. Lucanis would have followed but Davrin grabbed his bicep. “Give her a minute, before you screw things up more.”

“But I-” 

“Look, I don’t know what you two have going on, and Rook’s never been in a relationship before, so if I discover you did something to hurt her feelings-”

“You don’t have to finish.” Lucanis said, freeing his arm. There’s nothing Davrin could threaten to do to him that would come close to what he’d to himself. 

He sighed as he ran inside, going to Rook’s room. He needed to clear things up. If she didn’t think they were together, did that mean he had made a fool of himself, thinking she’d ever reciprocate his feelings? Maybe he had been right in not opening his heart, in pulling away and- 

No. He shook his head. He mustn't think of that. Not after everything in the Fade. What he needed was to find Rook. 

But when he entered her room, she wasn’t there. 

“Dawn?” He called, but no one answered. He quickly ran to the infirmary, and also found the place empty, besides Varric’s stuff that they left there. 

When he left, he stumbled upon Bellara. 

“Oh, hey Lucanis.” 

“Bellara, have you seen Rook?” 

“I haven’t spoken to her directly today but…a few minutes ago I did see her running to the Eluvian. She didn’t tell me where she was going though.” 

“Mierda.” He whispered. “Thank you, Bellara.”

She frowned. “Is everything alright? You look troubled.” She gasped. “Oh no, is Rook in trouble?” 

He shook his head. “No, no. If anyone’s in trouble, it’s me.” Bellara looked at him, confused but he only said “I have to go.” before running to the eluvian as well. 

“Be careful!” He heard Bellara shouting as he ran downstairs. 

He stared at the Eluvian and began thinking on where Rook could have run to. 

Lucanis ruled a few of them out. He knew her well enough to know she wouldn’t go to Minrathous or the Necropolis if she was distressed. He considered Rivain, but remembered how much she complained about the endless sand there. 

And considering what had just happened, he doubted she’d go to Treviso. Arlathan was a possibility but he believed he had better chances in the Anderfels, as her friends were there. 

With a destination in mind, he stepped through the eluvian, journeying through the Crossroads until he reached the Hossberg Wetlands. 

. 

“Mila, have you seen Rook?” Lucanis asked the girl, as he approached the Wardens. 

“She was talking to Antoine and Evka a few minutes ago..” Mila pointed to where the couple stood. “She seemed upset.” 

“Mierda.” He whispered, hoping the child didn’t listen. “Thank you, Mila.” 

“Of course!”

He approached the two Wardens. 

“Lucanis. What are you doing here?” Evka asked. 

“I’m looking for Rook. Mila told me she had just passed through here?” 

“Yes, we were talking to her.” Antoine said, not paying much attention to the crow as he worked on some strange device. “She was seeking advice on-”

He was cut off by Evka loudly clearing her throat. The two shared a look, silently communicating with each other before Evka turned to Lucanis. “Rook was…upset. Do you know anything about it?” 

“I…” he rubbed the back of his neck. “May have something to do with it.” 

Evka’s knuckled tightening around her hammer was probably not a good sign. Antoine placed a hand on her shoulder. “For your sake, I hope you figure it out quickly.” 

“Thank you. Did she-”

“She didn’t say where she was going, but she did use the eluvian.” Evka cut him off. 

Lucanis nodded and headed back there. 

. 

In Arlathan, he also found no trace of Rook. Even places he had ruled out before, the Necropolis and Rivain, he ended up visiting just to be sure but found nothing. 

Lucanis was growing worried. What if something had happened to Rook? What if one of the evanuris agents had gotten to her? If she had been killed? 

What if he never found her and told her everything he felt?

Lucanis took a deep breath. He had to remember that Rook was a capable woman, she could fend for herself and she had the advantage of being a warden - neither the blight nor darkspawn could surprise her. 

The sun was beginning to set and he decided he’d try one more place before returning to the Lighthouse. There were only two places he hadn’t been to yet: Minrathous and Treviso. 

He had ruled out his home, but it’d make more sense for her to be there. At the very least, the city wasn’t destroyed due to her choices and there was the chocolate she liked. 

With a deep breath, he made his way to Treviso. 

. 

It was nighttime when he arrived, the moons shining bright in the sky. He could smell in the air that it would rain soon. 

He closed his eyes as he considered where he would go. As he took another deep breath, gathering his thoughts, Spite spoke. 

“Smells like...earth. Lavender. Rook was here.” The demon said. 

“Can you find her?” Lucanis asked. 

“Find Rook. Can do.” 

. 

Dawn hugged her knees, as she looked to the sky. It had begun to rain, the water soaking her clothes and hair but she did not care. 

She never had this many chances to just stop and look at the moons. Not in the Gallows and most certainly not with the Wardens. She had finished eating the last of the sweets she had bought, but there was an emptiness in her not even sweets could help with. 

Maker, what had she done? Running away like that. For all the time she spent telling Lucanis he needed to communicate his thoughts, she went and did the exact opposite. 

Grand leader she was. 

She was driven out of her thoughts by the sound of steps near her. Turning her head, she saw Lucanis, hands on his hips, also wet from the rain, breathing heavily. 

“Do you have any idea…how much time I spent today looking for you?” He said. 

“Lucanis, I- how did you find me?” 

Skeletal purple wings sprouted from his back as he said “I had a bit of help.” He walked towards her as she stood up. “Dawn, I’m…I’m sorry.”

She frowned. “Sorry for what? You didn’t do anything wrong, I’m-”

“No. Please, I have to say this.” He took a deep breath. “I’m sorry for not being clear in my intentions. I haven’t done…this before. I was never the charming one and after the Ossuary…you’ve seen it yourself. I don’t know how to deal with these feelings.” Lucanis took a step forward. “I’m bad with words, so I did what I thought was best, what I thought would show…” He stopped himself and sighed. “I told you it wouldn’t be enough.”

“Stop.” She said, getting closer to him and holding his gloved hands. “It was more than enough.” Dawn shook her head. “I’m not used to people liking me. I’m not used to being cared for. So when you made dessert just for me, I got scared. I didn’t know if it meant more, and I was scared of asking and ruining whatever we had. And then Davrin said all these things and I’m…” She looked into his eyes. “I’m sorry too. I should have told you how I felt, I shouldn’t have ran away.” 

“And what is is that you feel?” 

“That you’re the right one.” She put it simply. 

For a moment, the two stayed like that: standing on the rooftops of an abandoned building, while it rained and they held hands, unsure of what to say. 

Dawn saw Lucanis look to the side, his lips thin, and she realized Spite was talking to him. Then he closed his eyes. 

“This is what I should have said before.” Lucanis looked at her, with those sad eyes of his, and with a deep breath, he began. “I want you, Dawn. I cherish the moments we’ve had more than you could ever imagine, and you’re in my mind more than I’d like to admit. You’re my sky, the dawn that comes after a long night of terror and I am scared of losing you, but I can’t bear the thought of us being apart. I don’t know where this journey will lead us, but I’ll go wherever you tell me, as long as you’ll have me.” 

She stared at him, overwhelmed with emotions. She didn’t know what to say, because nothing would compare to what he had said. And then she remembered her friend's words earlier that day. 

“Sometimes, you just have to go for it.” Evka said. “Like killing an ogre. You don’t think, you just..do it.” 

“Embrace the moment.” Antoine added. “We wardens aren’t afforded many of them, so you must make the most out of the ones you’ll be granted.”

Just do it, she thought to herself. 

And so, Dawn closed her eyes and leaned forward, kissing Lucanis. 

. 

Of all things that day, Lucanis did not expect to be kissed, but it was a pleasant surprise.

Much more than just pleasant, actually. 

The kiss itself was quick, ending too soon. Her lips were softer than he had imagined and they tasted of chocolate and caramel. 

When they pulled back, her pupils were blown wide and redness spread across her face. Her hair, which was usually kept in a ponytail, was down and stuck to her forehead and neck. 

For a moment, he felt breathless. She was beautiful. 

“Sorry, I-I should have asked.” She whispered. 

He shook his head, as he swept the hair from her face.

“You have no idea how long I waited for this.” Lucanis whispered. “May I?” 

She nodded. He put his hands on her cheeks, cupping them, as he brought her face towards his, their lips meeting once again. 

It was a bit awkward at first, both of them suffering with inexperience, but after a few seconds, they figured it out, Dawn’s hands finding his waist. The kiss deepened, causing him to softly moan, and Lucanis felt Spite’s wings sprouting once again from his back.

After what felt like a lifetime, the two stopped, both breathless, eyes closed as their foreheads touched. 

“This was…wow.” She said. “I think you were right.” 

“About what?” 

“About the honey and lavender.” She smirked and he gave a small chuckle. 

Then, Lucanis whispered “So what does this mean for us?” 

“It means that whatever happens next, we do it together.”

He smiled. “I quite like the sound of that.”

[wolfmoonwildflowers]

Bigger Dreams (Davrin x Rook fluff)

Read it on ao3 or keep reading below ✨

Word Count: 940

Rating: T

Rook uses she/her pronouns but is otherwise undescribed.

No CWs, just a couple of smooches and more warm/fuzzy feelings than should be legal.

Summary: Davrin and Rook share a cozy evening by the fire. Absolutely tooth-rotting levels of fluff packed into under 1k words. Not enough fanfic exists of this lovely, precious man (elf) so this is my contribution.

“I could get used to this,” Davrin drawls, dropping his pack to the ground near the entrance to his quarters. 

Rook peers around at him from the nest she’s made in his chair, grinning. “Get used to what? And how did you know I was here?” She resists the urge to reach out and make grabby-hands at him even as her imagination conjures scenes of them curled up here together, in front of the fire.

“Coming home to you sitting in my chair, safe, and warm, and waiting for me.” He leans over the back of said chair and kisses the top of her hair. 

Home. Home. Anywhere with him could be home.

She tips her head back so that she’s looking up at him upside down. Davrin huffs a laugh before dropping delicate kisses onto the tip of her nose and the corners of her mouth. “Let me go wash up. I’ll be back, aewnya.”

Hopefully he would be gone long enough for her to finish the chapter she was reading. Once he returned she knew it would be impossible to focus. These are the problems you want to have, she thinks, watching him pull the door shut on his way out.

—

“Ah, ah, ah,” he tuts, dodging her lips. “None of that until you’ve eaten.” He settles in the chair, pulling Rook comfortably into his lap and handing her a small plate full of fresh fruit and cheese with bread. 

She scowls but there is no weight behind it; Davrin had a sixth sense for knowing when she’s forgotten to eat. Rarely did his senses lead him astray. While she works her way through the meal, he busies himself. There is something so precious about watching him fuss with the thick woven blanket, making sure it covers her feet where they rest on the arm of the chair. This cozy comfort of domestic bliss, no matter how fleeting, is all-consuming. She could happily stay like this, with him, forever. She would never grow tired of it.

“Thank you for bringing me dinner,” she hums, leaning to sit the plate gently on the floor.

Davrin pulls her against his chest, one arm around her slightly-bent knees, the other around her shoulders. She presses her face to his neck and lets out a contented sigh. 

“Anything for you,” he promises.

And she knows he means it. Not in the grand-romantic-gesture way — although he would mean that, too, she knows — but rather in the quiet, mundane way. The way he brings her food when she’s forgotten to eat. The way he makes sure her feet are never cold. The way he wraps his arms around her and keeps her from falling apart. They had found a surprising reverence in caring for one another like this. It was more than she could have ever hoped for. He was more than she could have ever hoped for.

Rook finds exhaustion catching up with her, soothed by the rise and fall of his chest, the steady thrum of his heartbeat. Her eyelids are suddenly so very heavy. She almost misses the soft murmur of his voice, stirring when his fingers brush the hair from her face. 

“Hm?”

“Stay here tonight,” he repeats, stroking her cheek with his thumb.

She smiles, teasing. “Trying to lure me into your bed, are you? Scandalous.” Her eyes are still closed but she can feel his smile in return, the corners of his mouth pulling up against hers before he kisses her. The press of his lips is so gentle that it makes her chest ache.

“You have no idea just how many scandalous things I plan on doing to you,” he whispers. Rook’s eyes flutter open at that, but Davrin just smirks. “But not tonight. Tonight, I only want one thing — one thing more than anything else in the world — and that is to fall asleep with you in my arms.”

“Has anyone ever told you to try dreaming bigger?” Rook jokes, raising her hand to trace the line of his lips with her fingertip.

“You’re right, as always.” He kisses the pad of her finger, then pretends to consider. “Let me see… a bigger dream, hm… Okay, I’ve got it. The thing I want more than anything else in the world is to kiss you right before you fall asleep so that you will dream of me.”

“Bigger,” she prompts.

Davrin plays along, happy to indulge her. “I want your face to be the first thing I see when I wake up.”

“Bigger.”

“I want those things for more than just one day. I want them every day.”

“Bigger,” she insists, gasping and giggling sleepily when he rises from the chair and makes to carry her to the bed. 

Getting under the covers like this is no easy feat. Neither of them want to let go of the other. Eventually, Davrin shifts, guiding Rook’s legs around his waist. He cradles her close to him, pulling back the blankets and hefting both of them onto the mattress.

“I want you to imagine a future with me,” he whispers, making sure she’s comfortable before reclaiming his place on top of her and leaving featherlight kisses along her jaw. 

The heavy weight of his body is so comforting, so real. Rook scratches gently along his scalp, humming at the way she can feel the tension in him melt. 

“It’s going to go to my head, you know,” she says, finally.

“What is, aewnya?”

With one hand still stroking his hair, she lets the other hand search for his. Their fingers intertwine. “Being able to make all your dreams come true.”

—

Footnotes:

aewnya - my little bird

I haven’t finished the game myself but from what I can find on the internet it doesn’t seem like Davrin has any pet names for Rook SO I bastardized Tolkien’s elven language and made my own. Linguists, avert your eyes; I am so sorry for this sin.

aew Sindarin, noun, meaning (small) bird

-nya Quenya, pronominal suffix, 1st person sg. posessive, “my”

[master-of-the-elements]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Dragon Age (Video Games), Dragon Age: The Veilguard (Video Game) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Davrin/Rook (Dragon Age), Davrin & Rook (Dragon Age), Davrin (Dragon Age)/Original Male Character(s) Characters: Davrin (Dragon Age), Rook (Dragon Age), Assan (Dragon Age), Lace Harding Additional Tags: Fluff and Humor, Fluff, Play Fighting, Sparring, Training, Black Character(s), black rook, Romantic Fluff, Romance Between Black Characters, davrook, Dragon Age: The Veilguard Spoilers, Shadow Dragon Rook (Dragon Age), POV Alternating, LGBTQ Character of Color, Mentioned Neve Gallus, Mentioned Lucanis Dellamorte, Mentioned Bellara Lutare, Mentioned Taash (Dragon Age), Male Rook (Dragon Age), Rook Mercar - Freeform, Mage Rook (Dragon Age) Summary:

In an effort to spend more time together, Davrin and Rook decide to have a training session at the Lighthouse. However, the session ends up taking an interesting direction.

It’s here!!! I finally post the fic! Can’t I believe I actually did it! 😭😭😭 Let me know what you think! @thatgaymerguyb​ @thedissonantverses​ @megaeratheefury​

[thatgaymerguyb]

Currently working on part 14

The inspiration doesn’t stop flowing for this. Part 13 is live.

[awardenandacrow]

SNIPPET 52

[commitment scene partial; dinner after commitment scene]

PLEASE NOTE: this snippet falls chronologically directly BEFORE Snippet 9, Rookanis first kiss.

——————————————————————————

“Ooooh yum!” Naimeryn felt her shoulders unclench as the smells from the kitchen wafted over to her head as it poked through the dining hall doors.

Lucanis looked up from what he was doing at the sound of her voice. Maybe she was imagining it, but his smile seemed a little tense. Hopefully getting him talking about whatever it was he was making would relax him. He liked talking about cooking, and there was no need to take a deep dive into what had happened at the Swan right now, if that was what he was worried about.

…

“It’s nothing,” he said, looking sheepishly over at dinner, then back at her with his eyes wide and soft and worried, dropping his voice as he added, “or not enough.”

The tenderness awoke in Naimeryn’s chest with such ferocity that nothing could have suppressed it. She knew what Lucanis really meant, what he couldn’t bring himself to say. She knew because she felt that way about herself, and yet for him, somehow, she was. That he couldn’t see himself the way he saw her was a crime. She shook her head.

“It is,” she insisted, tentatively closing the distance between them and laying her hand over his, where it sat on the counter. Warm, as ever. She couldn’t resist the urge to give it a gentle squeeze as she tilted her head and met his eye. “And *you are.*”

He smiled, ever so slightly. He might not believe her, not yet. But if he kept giving her chances like this… by the Maker, or whatever dieties actually existed, someday, she’d *make* him.

“And, I’ll have you know,” she smirked at him, batting her eyelashes just a little, “I am *very* easily bribed.”

A soft chuckle rumbled up from his chest, and his eyes burned into hers. He turned his hand over, fingers intertwining with hers. Her breath caught in her throat as he gently pressed his forehead against hers.

“I’ll have to keep that in mind,” he told her, like a promise.

The dining hall doors burst open, and the two of them leapt apart. Taash and Emmrich were having an animated conversation about whether or not a dragon could be turned into a lich, and Bellara seemed to be recounting her latest serial to a *very* invested Harding. Only Neve and Davrin, entering last, seemed to have noticed what was going on in the kitchen before Naimeryn hastily began gathering dishes to set the table.

…

Lucanis could not keep his eyes off of Rook.

He knew he should at least *try.* Surely the others — Neve, in particular, whose calculated gaze he could already feel boring into him — would notice his distraction. But as she quickly walked around him to gather dishes, that lavender perfume of hers washed over him like a wave, and that was it.

Every time she’d catch him staring, she’d flash him a soft, tender little smile that made his whole world stop for a moment. And that was to say nothing of the smile she wore when he had looked away for a moment, to look back and catch *her* doing the same. The slight flush of being caught, the widening of her grin before she ducked her head and returned to whatever conversation she’d been having; it was enough to drive him mad.

Spite’s near constant commentary on how *happy* she looked — *was* — was redundant, but welcome. He danced around her chair all night, pointing out the smiles as though Lucanis couldn’t see them, the sparkle in her eyes as she laughed and joked with the others as though Lucanis could have missed it. More than once Lucanis caught himself smiling to himself, and would quickly take another sip of coffee.

OURS? Spite cocked his head at him. Lucanis frowned slightly. Before he could think too much about it, he was drawn into conversation with Emmrich, though the entire time he was aware of Davrin’s glances between Rook and himself. He should ask Rook if she wanted to be more secretive going forward.

Though “secret” may be far out the window, judging by the growing number of knowing expressions in the room.

“Dessert should be *excellent,*” Emmrich told him warmly, with a smile that was a little too excited to be *just* about the sweet. “I’m so thrilled you asked me for my mother’s recipe!”

“I hope I did your mother proud,” Lucanis returned, wondering if the older man had known *why* he’d asked him for this particular recipe all along. “Is everyone ready for dessert?”

He caught Rook’s gaze again, the excited *knowing* in hers making his heart skip a beat.

“Rook certainly is,” Davrin rumbled. Her face and ears turned scarlet, but she coolly shot back,

“Well, we *all* know how much I love trying something new!”

“Especially when the something new is *edible,*” Neve teased, and Bellara and Harding both began to laugh.

[loveandfictionforall]

I ABSOLUTELY loved your Davrin angst thank you for the food haha ❤️ I was wondering if you could write something sort of spicy (only if you're comfortable) of Davrin x Reader sparring :)

Since you requested Davrin x Reader, the Reader will not be Rook.

As a member of Rook's team you felt sometimes like your sister. Cassandra often told you tales how she traveled with the Inquisitor, fighting against Venatori, rogue Templars and Bandits. All her tales had a touch of fantasy in it, you hadn't thought that her stories were more likely understated. But now, as a member of Rook's team, you felt like a novice, taking stumbling steps and hoping to come out of it in one piece. It churned your self-doubts as you began comparing yourself to the other members. Davrin was one of the most used comparisons. And as such he was simply required of him to help you get better. Thankfully he was someone who liked to help. Today was one of those days. Being with Davrin was a simple as breathing air. You felt comfortable around him and you missed him when he went with Rook. In a corner of your mind, you always worried for him, especially since Weisshaupt and his whole persona of sacrificing himself. Most of the time, you didn't want to think about it. It made your heart and head ache and tears would well up in your eyes until you would furiously blink them away. To rid yourself of these dark thoughts, you began stretching yourself, getting your muscles warmed up for when Davrin came. It was a quiet day. None of the other members were there and it was only you and Davrin.

"Sorry that you had to wait for me.", his dark rumbling voice teared through your thoughts like a sharp knife. Dazed you shook your head while turning to him and smiled at the taller man. "Are you ready?", was everything you said, not wanting that he apologized for something so trivial. The answering smirk made you gulp. You could feel your heart fluttering and you couldn't control your thoughts. I would definitively like a different type of sparring… He had to see how red your face became when you coughed. He had to because his smirk just got bigger. "Is everything alright?", his concern wasn't real, you could hear it in his voice. There was a small laugh in it and also some smugness. Your answer was to draw your sword. Twirling it with your hand, a smirk grazed your lips and then you charged. It was a swift and merciless dance you two danced. Both swords clashed together, metal hitting on metal, creating a unique song to which you danced. Soon your muscles began to burn and sweat gathered atop your eyebrows. Davrin moved so effortless while still being unmoving and hard. Most of the time you two were evenly matched but today, you could see a glint in his eyes. He was planning on something but you couldn't think about it much. His blows became harder, rattling your bones as his sword pressed against yours, weighting you down and making you tremble beneath his pressure. Your breath came out in pants. Did he always hold back or what was going on today?! You could even really comprehend that thought, when Davrin disarmed you with quick strokes of this sword, twirling your own sword out of your grasp. Shocked, you breathed in then you fell and with you Davrin. Your mind couldn't follow what happened but your body did. His warm hands still burned on your shoulders, where he pushed you. You could hear a sword clattering on the ground and feel his breath against your warm face as he towered over you and braced your head with his hands. "What.._?" You had no words, instead you stared into his eyes, pupils blown wide as Davrin smirked again. "Time for a different type of sparring." His voice had turned deeper and huskier, teasing your whole being. You felt like you were being lit on fire. His gaze was heavy, travelling along your body as if you were not wearing clothes. His eyes burned, you could feel it on your body as he stared starting from your hips, travelling up and up across your stomach, your chest, your neck and finally your face. Your breath hitched again. His eyes were swallowed by his pupils and as his tongues darted out to wet his lips, you couldn't stop that small moan form escaping. His hands traveled down your arms until they reached your wrists, roughly tugging them above your head. Davrin leaned closer. You swear, you stopped breathing while your heart hammered away. "So you want to some different sparring?", he purred. "Oh my… I spoke out loud, didn't I?", you trembled beneath his touch as his smirk grew. "Yes, you did, darling."

[stormwifewrites]

🫖 The Trouble with Truffle Tea 🍵

The Trouble with Truffle Tea (5962 words) by stormwife on AO3

Explicit, Emmrich x f!Rook

Summary:

Emmrich takes a breath, corralling the gallop of his mind’s thoughts. Gingerwort truffle tea is perfectly harmless, even to those with a sensitivity, and there are no known fatalities from ingesting the substance. Rook has a strong constitution, and Maker knows she has survived worse. Everything will be perfectly fine. He feels lips, nuzzled against the thin skin behind his ears. A tongue, tracing its tender curve. Breasts, swelling against his side. “I want you,” Rook whispers in his ear. On second thought… “Oh, dear.”

Additional Tags: Plot What Plot/Porn Without Plot, Porn With Plot, Porn with Feelings, Smut, Angst and Fluff and Smut, Masturbation, Exhibitionism, Semi-Public Sex, Accidental Ingestion of Aphrodisiacs, Sex Pollen, Idiots in Love, Mildly Dubious Consent, Blow Jobs, Oral Sex, Soft Dom Emmrich Volkarin, Gentleman Emmrich Volkarin, Worried Emmrich Volkarin, Older Man/Younger Woman, Age Difference, Developing Relationship, Hand & Finger Kink, Mage Rook (Dragon Age), Female Rook (Dragon Age), Emmrich gives a lesson on the finer points of anatomy, and also gives Rook what she asks for, that truffle tea scene gave me Ideas and I'm not sorry

Series: Part 7 of The Bell Tolls the Tempest

it's time for gingerwort truffle sex tea eyyyyy

steeped and simmered with a healthy dose of fluff at the ending

[lightan117]

I will wait, no matter how long Part 2

Here is part two!

And for the Anon who sent me a lovely rude message instead of being a nice, positive person, here ya go, buddy! I made sure to add the "Keep reading" that I forgot!

Pairing: Lucanis X (F)Mourn Watch Rook

Warnings: None, just fluff and feel good. Lucanis and Daisy sort of admit the feelings, but not fully.

One of the few places in the Lighthouse besides the Library that Daisy truly enjoyed was the stone bathroom. Despite having to share it with the others, she found it undeniably beautiful. The walls were made of smooth, dark stone, polished over time, and the floor was lined with cool tiles that felt refreshing beneath bare feet. A large stone tub sat in front of a stained-glass window, which cast colorful patterns across the room. The scent of lavender and a mix of soaps lingered in the air, remnants of previous use. It was a small sanctuary within the otherwise eerie Lighthouse.

On her way to the washroom, Daisy briefly stopped at her room, grabbing a fresh set of clothes for herself and searching for something Demi could wear for the time being. She hesitated for a moment, sifting through her belongings, inspecting the state of her garments. Some were worn thin, frayed at the edges, while others had stubborn blood stains that refused to wash out. Still, she found something suitable, though she made a mental note to mend the more tattered pieces later. As they stepped out of the room, Ti’Lan found them, his presence as composed as ever, with Emmirch walking beside him. The two caught up with ease, their movements fluid and unhurried. As they passed, Emmirch casually mentioned that he would gather everyone in the dining hall for dinner and introductions. Daisy felt a wave of relief at his words and gave a grateful nod, flashing a small wave to Manfred, the ever-present skeleton.

To her mild surprise, Demi didn’t seem unsettled by him. There was no fear in her expression, no startled flinch—just quiet observation. If anything, she almost looked calm, as though Manfred’s skeletal form was nothing unusual to her. Daisy couldn’t help but wonder what exactly the young girl had seen before arriving here.

Inside the bathroom, steam curled in the air, thick and fragrant from the herbal soaps left behind by previous users. The water was already hot, the surface rippling as Daisy, Ti’Lan, and Demi stepped in, letting the heat soak into their travel-weary bodies. The stone tub was deep, large enough for the three of them to comfortably sit with room to spare, no shame between them. Daisy sighed as the warmth worked away the stiffness in her limbs, while Demi settled in with an almost cautious excitement as though she weren’t used to such luxuries. Daisy poured some soap into the water, allowing bubbles to form to keep the small child entertained.

Daisy wasted no time getting to work, lathering soap into Demi’s tangled hair, her fingers gentle yet firm as she tried to remove the layers of grime that had accumulated over time. The water darkened as dirt and old oils were washed away, revealing strands of hair that had a natural sheen beneath it all. Demi sat still, allowing Daisy to scrub, though her gaze wandered across the room, watching Ti’Lan as he busied himself with polishing his horn bands, the metal glinting in the dim candlelight.

At some point, Ti’Lan made an idle remark about Daisy’s short hair. His tone was light, but a thread of curiosity was woven in. Daisy glanced at her reflection in the water, running a hand through the damp strands before offering a casual response.

“I cut it after the War of Banners,” she said, her voice steady. “Left my grave gold at home, too. Didn’t feel like I deserved it.”

Ti’Lan gave a quiet hum in acknowledgment, his expression unreadable as he continued working on his bands. He didn’t press the topic further, but his hands stilled as he lifted his gaze. His golden eyes locked onto her ears—bare, unadorned, and unmistakably damaged. His expression tightened, a flicker of something sharp crossing his face.

“…Has anyone noticed?” he asked after a moment, his voice quieter than before.

Daisy exhaled slowly, reaching up as if she could shield them from his gaze. “Only Lucanis and Emmrich,” she admitted, tilting her head slightly. “I wear cuffs over them most of the time.”

Ti’Lan’s jaw tightened, his fingers curling around the tub’s edge. “And no one’s said anything?”

She shrugged. “Lucanis was...kinda when he found out. He promised not to say anything unless I spoke first about it. And Emmrich… well, he knows it’s my story to tell.” There was a ghost of a smirk on her lips before she looked away. “It’s easier this way.” Ti’Lan didn’t respond immediately. He only stared for a moment longer before looking down at the water, his fingers gripping his cloth a little too tightly. The silence between them lingered, heavier than before. Scars were easier to hide...ears not so much for an elf.

Ti’Lan spoke, changing the topic, his voice slow and measured, as though unspooling the memories before her. After his fight with their mother, he left, wandering the world with no real destination. The Spirits of Adventure sought him out, pulling him into their quests, asking for help where he could give it. His travels had taken him to distant lands—Minrathous, with its towering spires and oppressive magic; Antiva City, lively and unpredictable; Kirkwall, where history seemed to seep from every brick; and even Orlais, a place of masked intrigue and hidden daggers. He had learned new spells, met fascinating people, and carved out his own path. His voice softened when he spoke of Alilya. He had crossed paths with her near the Nevarran border, but despite how close he had been to home, he had let his pride keep him away. The admittance was quiet, almost shameful, but Daisy didn’t push.

When it was her turn, she spoke of the War of Banners, of how she had led a small force to victory—though victory had come at a cost. She had been sent away, her accomplishments overshadowed by politics and the weight of expectation. She glossed over her time with Solas, keeping the details sparse, before delving into what had occupied her time since.

She had been to Adamant Fortress, the seat of the Grey Wardens, a place heavy with duty and sacrifice. She had helped Isabella of the Lords of Fortune, a woman as dangerous as she was charming. She had helped the Veil Jumpers navigate the mysteries of Arlathan Forest, delving into places most feared to tread. And, of course, she had returned home to aid the Mourn Watchers in the Necropolis, standing once more as a guardian among the dead.

Through it all, there had been no rest. She had battled the antaam in Treviso, fought Venatori remnants in Minrathous, and held the line against darkspawn in places where the light barely reached. Above it all; she had clashed with gods who sought to reshape the world in their own twisted image; their ambitions stretching beyond mortal comprehension. Not to mention that they had dragons under their control. As she spoke, the steam curled around them, thick and heavy, as though absorbing the weight of their stories. The water, once clear, had turned cloudy with soap and dirt, a quiet testament to the past they were washing away, even if the scars remained.

They dressed in silence, the warmth of the bath lingering on their skin as the cool air of the stone bathroom wrapped around them. Daisy pulled one of her long-sleeved, high-collar dresses over her head, the familiar weight of the fabric settling against her shoulders like armor. It was well-worn but dignified, the dark material covering the scars she never wished to explain. Demi, meanwhile, swam in one of Daisy’s nightgowns, the oversized garment nearly swallowing her small frame. Daisy knelt, carefully gathering the excess fabric and tying it at Demi’s waist to make it easier for her to move. The child grinned, giving a small twirl as she tested Daisy’s handiwork.

Ti’Lan, standing nearby, dressed in the clothes he had carried with him. His tunic was simple but open enough to reveal his face fully—a rarity for him. But what caught Daisy’s attention was his face, arms, and neck. He bared his skin freely, exposing the deep, dark chain marks that marred his skin. They matched her own, the telltale remnants of a past neither of them could erase.

“I’ve learned that I’ll never be rid of them,” Ti’Lan said quietly, flexing his fingers as though testing the weight of something unseen. “No point in hiding them forever.”

Daisy didn’t respond right away. Instead, she stepped forward, pressing her forehead lightly against his shoulder. Ti’Lan hugged her, his arms strong, steady, warm. He kissed her forehead, and Daisy let out a slow breath, nodding against him as she blinked away the tears threatening to form. They didn’t need to say anything more. When they finally left the bathroom, Demi was in much better spirits. She darted ahead with boundless energy, her eyes flickering over every strange detail of the Lighthouse as Daisy led them through its halls. She showed them around, pointing out the grand library, the winding staircases, and the peculiar, shifting architecture that made the Lighthouse feel almost alive.

Eventually, they stepped into the courtyard. The air was different here—thicker, charged with an energy that didn’t belong to the waking world. The sky above was an endless swirl of color, streaks of blues, purples, reds, and golds stretching into infinity. But it was the edge that drew Ti’Lan’s gaze, where the stone abruptly cut off into nothingness.

He stepped forward, peering over the side. Below them was no earth, no sea—only a vast, unending drop into the Fade. The abyss stretched downward forever, shifting and undulating like a living thing, speckled with distant flickers of light that could have been stars or could have been something watching. Daisy stood beside him, observing his reaction.

Ti’Lan exhaled, shaking his head in disbelief. “We’re not in Thedas anymore.”

“No,” Daisy murmured, “We’re not.”

The warm hum of conversation carried through the heavy wooden doors as they approached the dining hall. Laughter, the clinking of plates, the occasional scrape of chairs—a sound Daisy hadn’t realized she had missed. But as she stood before the door, hesitation gripped her. The familiar weight of nervous energy settled in her chest, and she clenched her hands into fists, willing herself to breathe. Ti’Lan noticed. He always did. His hand, warm and steady, was placed against her back. His golden eyes held a quiet understanding. “You’re home,” he murmured. “They’ll be glad for it.”

Daisy swallowed hard, nodding as he withdrew his hand.

She exhaled, steeling herself, and pushed the door open.

The moment she stepped inside, all conversation halted. Eyes turned to her, and no one spoke for a brief, frozen second. Then, in an instant, the tension cracked. Relief flooded the room. Voices overlapped as people rose from their seats, their concern plain on their faces. Some had already started moving toward her—Bellara, Lace, even Neve—but she lifted a hand, stopping them in place.

“Sit,” she said, her voice firm yet soft. “Please. I promise to explain everything.” A few exchanged glances but obeyed, settling back into their chairs, though their gazes never left her. Daisy’s eyes flicked to Lucanis, the ever-calm assassin watching her intently. He didn’t rush toward her like the others, didn’t ask if she was all right. Instead, he simply nodded, his expression unreadable. But in his gaze, there was something unspoken—a quiet understanding, a shared history neither of them had to voice. Daisy gave him a small smile.

Before anyone could say anything more, a sudden flurry of movement caught their attention. Assan bounded forward with a chirping trill, his large paws barely making a sound as he dashed across the hall. Daisy barely had time to brace herself before he nearly barreled into her—but at the last moment, his attention snapped elsewhere. Demi. The little girl, eyes wide, squealed before instinctively turning to run. The chase had begun. Assan, clearly delighted, let out a playful screech and took off after her, his small wings flapping excitedly as he followed her around the room. Demi shrieked in laughter, ducking behind chairs and weaving between people as the baby griffon pursued her with single-minded joy. The tension in the hall lightened instantly, smiles breaking out even among the most serious faces. Davrin tried to rein him in as Demi tried to hide behind Daisy's legs before taking off again.

Daisy exhaled, a small smile tugging at her lips. Despite everything and the worry she could still feel radiating off them, there was warmth here.

There was home.

Laughter rippled through the room. The once-heavy atmosphere softened, smiles replacing furrowed brows. Daisy’s lips twitched into a smile of her own as she moved forward, scooping Demi up as she ran past. The little girl squealed in delight, legs still kicking as she clung to Daisy. Turning to the room, Daisy finally made the introductions. “Everyone, this is my adopted brother, Ti’Lan,” she said, nodding toward him. “And the little one is Demi.”

Ti’Lan inclined his head with a charming smile; the silver rings on his horns catching the candlelight. Still in Daisy’s arms, Demi peeked out shyly from her shoulder, though her earlier laughter suggested she was quickly warming up.

Daisy motioned toward the gathered faces around the table. “Meet my friends—Bellara, Lace, Neve, Davrin, Assan, Taash.” She glanced at the two men at the head of the table, her voice softening just slightly. “And, of course, you’ve already met Lucanis and Emmrich.” Nods and smiles followed, hands raised in greeting. Ti’Lan and Demi returned the gestures. She led them to the table, ensuring Demi was seated comfortably before excusing herself. As she moved toward the serving area, she already knew who would be waiting.

Lucanis.

He was setting out plates, his movements efficient, precise. He didn’t glance up as she approached, but he had known she would come. “You didn’t have to come get them,” he murmured, his voice quiet as he passed her a plate. “I would have brought them over.”

Daisy accepted the plate, letting her fingers brush against the rim before taking another. “Yes, but I always help you put the plates on the table,” she said, her voice dipping into something softer, more familiar. A quiet joke between them. “I don’t want the cook to think I’m slacking now.”

Lucanis finally looked up, a small, knowing smile curling at the corner of his lips. “Of course not. Although…” His voice took on a teasing lilt. “You have missed a few dinners.”

“I promise to catch up,” Daisy replied, though something in her chest tightened as the words left her mouth. A beat of silence passed before she hesitated, shifting the plates slightly in her hands. “Do you…” Her voice was quieter now, a rare uncertainty creeping in. “Do you still want to sit next to me?”

Lucanis’ expression didn’t change at first, but his gaze flickered—briefly—to something past her shoulder as though weighing a thought. Then his eyes returned to hers, steady, certain. "Of course.” And just like that, some of that tightness in her chest eased. Lucanis piled the plates with food, and Daisy carefully walked back to the table, serving the guests before the others, sitting down once everyone was fed. She waited patiently for Lucanis to settle in before she went on to explain the reason for her disappearance.

She lied. Partially. The beginning was a lie, and she tried to make it believable. She kept her voice even, her expression carefully controlled as she wove her words together. Her history with the Mourn Watch, her role in helping spirits—those parts were true. They made the lie easier to swallow. Daisy explained how, after speaking with Neve, a spirit had appeared, asking for help. She carefully omitted the actual topic of her conversation with Neve, choosing her words carefully. The spirit had spoken of something involving her brother. That, at least, was true. Believing it was urgent, she had left—too quickly, too recklessly, and in a drunken state, no less. She didn’t look at anyone as she spoke. It was beyond foolish to leave everyone because a simple spirit spoke about her brother. When she arrived at the beach, Daisy tried to brush off the battle...

Of course, Ti’Lan had no such reservations.

He jumped in to elaborate, vividly recounting how Daisy, half-drunk and impulsive, had charged into battle against the antaam. He spoke with his usual charm, describing each clash of steel, each spell cast, and each moment when it seemed like Daisy had bitten off more than she could chew. Much to Daisy’s horror, he relished the storytelling. She groaned, burying her face in her hands as Ti’Lan continued, his voice animated as he described how she nearly got run through, how she managed to hold her own despite her state, how she had fought like a storm even when the odds were stacked against her, summoning skeletons by the dozen to fight with her. Daisy risked a glance at Lucanis.

She shouldn’t have.

He was watching her. He had never stopped watching her. The weight of his gaze made something curl tight in her stomach, and she quickly looked away, fixing her eyes on the table as if it held the secrets to the universe. Taash, however, was enthralled. They leaned forward, practically vibrating in excitement, demanding more details. “And then what? How many did you take down? You’re leaving out the best parts!"

Ti’Lan chuckled, indulging Taash’s enthusiasm, and Daisy groaned again, sinking lower in her seat. Once the tale of battle had finally run its course, she exhaled and picked up the thread of the story again, this time more honestly. She admitted to passing out on the beach.

The leftover antaam who lingered about had been taken care of by Ti’Lan and the others while she had been unconscious. When she finally awoke, she found herself at a camp, safe but feeling the weight of her reckless choices. She spoke of delivering the survivors to Isabella, of how the pirate had told her the truth—how everyone had been looking for her. Daisy hesitated, then exhaled softly. “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice quieter now, the bravado gone. “I shouldn’t have left without telling anyone.”

Lace’s voice was gentle, but the concern was evident in her expression.

“We were a little worried something had happened. Any longer, and we would have raised the alarm,” she said, watching Daisy closely. “We thought something might have gone wrong on your way back to the Lighthouse.”

Daisy offered a sheepish smile, pushing her food around on her plate before turning her attention to Demi, who had made herself quite comfortable hopping from one lap to another. “This is exactly why I don’t drink,” Daisy chuckled, scooping another spoonful of food and guiding it toward the little girl’s mouth. Demi accepted it absentmindedly, her attention shifting between the different plates on the table as if trying to decide whose lap—and meal—she preferred.

Emmrich, ever the scholar, leaned forward with a gleam of curiosity in his eyes. “You never did say what spells you were using in that fight,” he prompted.

Daisy chewed her food slowly before answering. “There was a new one I wanted to try. It’s meant for large groups, especially when you're surrounded.” She set her spoon down, her voice growing thoughtful. “I… barely held it together by the time I let it loose.”

Ti’Lan, never one to let her dwell on her own shortcomings, hijacked the conversation effortlessly. “Ah, but what she won’t tell you,” he grinned, “is how spectacular it was. I mean, you should’ve seen it! The way the spell built up, the energy crackling—just before boom—it went off in the most dramatic fashion possible.” He gestured grandly, as if casting the spell himself.

Daisy rolled her eyes, but she didn’t interrupt. She was grateful. The more the conversation shifted off of her, the more she felt herself unwind. The tension in her shoulders eased, and her eyelids grew just a little heavier. It was the first time in days that she could simply sit, eat, and be without feeling like she was bracing for the next storm.

Then Demi suddenly stilled.

Daisy barely noticed at first, still half-listening to Ti’Lan’s theatrics, but then she caught it—the way Demi had stopped eating, her small hands clenching slightly in the fabric of Daisy’s dress. The child’s eyes were wide, focused, but not on anyone at the table.

She was staring at Lucanis. No—not at him. Around him.

Demi’s bright eyes flickered, her tiny brows furrowing in concentration before she slowly lifted her hand and pointed, her voice barely above a whisper. “Purple.” The room quieted. Daisy’s heart skipped a beat. She turned her gaze toward Lucanis, whose entire posture had gone still. His dark eyes, once calm and unreadable, were now fixed on Demi with a quiet intensity.

Daisy shifted, her voice careful. “Demi… do you see someone there?”

The child nodded, her curls bouncing slightly as she pointed again—to the space just beside Lucanis.

Lucanis exhaled sharply, his voice laced with astonishment. “She can see Spite.” A ripple of surprise passed through the table.

Ti’Lan, always quick to react, grinned triumphantly. “I told you she was special.”

Daisy glanced back at Lucanis. His expression had shifted—not just shock, but something deeper, something reverent. Spite, his ever-present companion, was unseen to most. Emmrich could hear Spite. Daisy herself had only ever sensed the spirit’s presence in fleeting moments, the most time she spent around them. But Demi saw. Daisy tightened her hold on the little girl, brushing a hand over her curls in a silent, protective gesture. She knew then—Demi was more than just a lost child in need of shelter. The mage child would need a strong family to learn from. "Demi, can you hear Spite too?" There was some silence before she nodded her head.

“Amazing.” Emmrich’s voice was quiet with awe as he observed the interaction. “She’s so sensitive for such a young age, younger than I was when I started to hone my gift.

His fascination was shared by the others, all eyes locked onto Demi as she continued to gaze, entranced, at the unseen figure standing beside Lucanis. Ti’Lan nodded, his expression fond. “Both her parents were apostate mages. I met them on my travels. Demi’s mother passed from an infection, and her father died to the antaam.” His voice softened slightly. “I was hoping that Daisy might persuade our mother to allow her to stay.”

Daisy’s brows furrowed, and she instinctively pulled the little girl closer, as if shielding her from the weight of the conversation. She smoothed a hand over Demi’s curls, feeling the slight tremble in her tiny frame.

“You know she will have it rough like you did, being a Qunari,” Daisy murmured, her voice quiet, but firm.

Ti’Lan leaned in, resting his elbows on the table, a lopsided grin spreading across his face. “She won’t be alone though. She has, what, a dozen siblings now?” He waggled his brows playfully.

Daisy’s cheeks warmed as she looked away, refusing to meet her brother’s teasing gaze. “Have a habit of adopting children, Daisy?” Davrin asked, amusement lacing his tone.

“A habit?” Ti’Lan scoffed before Daisy could answer. “I’d call it a full-fledged hobby at this point—one she’s had ever since she was old enough… or should I say, brave enough, to stand up to our mothers. If it wasn’t for her putting her tiny foot down when we were…” He hesitated, catching himself, and corrected his words. “When Daisy found us, we would’ve died on the streets.”

Daisy let out a slow breath, her fingers tightening slightly around Demi’s small frame. “I can’t help everyone,” she admitted, “but I try.” She glanced around the table before adding, “The Mourn Watch is still heavily mage-dominated, so one of the conditions for the children I bring home is that they must have some sensitivity to magic.”

Ti’Lan scoffed. “Mother and her high standards.”

“At least Ma—” Daisy caught herself, quickly correcting, “Lady Chastain softened her up a bit.” She internally cursed her slip-up, knowing her choice of words didn’t go unnoticed. Bellara took the conversation in a different direction, launching into eager questions about Demi’s abilities, pulling Ti’Lan into a discussion on magical sensitivities. Daisy let the conversation drift around her for a moment before her gaze flickered toward Lucanis.

She found him watching Demi, his usual carefully guarded expression unsettled, though he hid it well. Daisy tilted her head slightly, a smirk playing on her lips. “Seems like Spite might have a playmate for a bit, Lucanis.”

Lucanis didn’t react immediately, his eyes still focused on Demi as she carefully crawled onto his lap, her tiny fingers resting on his sleeve. His whole body tensed at first, as if unsure how to react, but he slowly exhaled and allowed her to settle, though the wary edge remained.

His voice was quiet when he finally spoke. “I don’t know if I trust him or not with her.” His fingers twitched slightly against the table. “What if Spite harms her?”

Daisy’s eyes narrowed, her voice unwavering. “Spite wouldn’t.”

Lucanis finally looked up at her, his expression unreadable. “Or else our agreement would no longer be valid.”

Lucanis blinked, then frowned. “What agreement?”

Daisy’s smirk widened as she leaned slightly closer, lowering her voice just enough for only him to hear. “Just an agreement between me and your demon.” As expected, Lucanis stiffened, his jaw clenching. His head snapped slightly to the side as if listening to something Daisy couldn’t hear before his sharp gaze swung back to her. Daisy only smiled wider, the challenge in her eyes unmistakable.

~oOo~

The days at the Lighthouse passed with unusual warmth, a sense of temporary family forming around Demi as they all waited for word of who might claim her. It would take roughly one to two weeks before any real answer came, but for now, Daisy ensured the child had a place where she was wanted. A quick trip to the Necropolis with Emmrich and Bellara allowed Daisy to pass along a letter to her family. The response she received from Myrna was expected—her siblings were already involved in calming some of the unrest their family had begun to notice. Myrna also mentioned she was relieved to hear Ti’Lan was safe and hoped he would stay out of trouble. Both women agreed that was unlikely.

Back at the Lighthouse, there was a shift in the atmosphere—an almost unspoken hope fluttering through the air. Demi had quickly become a beloved addition, her presence bringing a lightheartedness that had been absent for some time. She was constantly passed from person to person, each taking time to entertain her in their own way. Bellara introduced her to ancient elven technology, guiding her small hands over glowing scripts and intricate mechanisms. Lace led her through the gardens, tiny hands brushing against fragrant herbs and vibrant flowers, her eyes alight with curiosity. Davrin carved small figures for her, simple animals and birds that she clutched tightly. At the same time, Assan took to her like an overzealous older sibling, chasing her in delighted circles around the courtyard. Taash managed to acquire old clothing from their mother, making sure Demi had something comfortable to run about in.

Emmrich took a more silent role, watching from the background with a quiet sort of approval while he helped Daisy with their hunt for the gods. Instead, it was Manfred, the skeleton who had long since become part of their strange household, who took to Demi most unexpectedly. The two were inseparable, Demi unafraid of his skeletal form and Manfred seemingly delighted by her company.

Then there was Neve. Neve’s room was a place of quiet study, where soft candlelight flickered against the walls and the ever-present glow of wisps drifted lazily through the air. The small, ethereal lights moved with a mind of their own, floating and weaving around the stacks of books and parchment that littered her desk. Normally, Neve found their gentle presence soothing, but today was different. Today, she had a visitor.

Demi had found her way into the room, drawn in by the glowing wisps. The little girl giggled as she chased them, tiny hands swiping at the air, though they always managed to stay just out of reach. The spirits responded to her presence with amusement, darting away but never fully retreating, almost as if they were playing along.

Neve tried to focus, her quill scratching against parchment as she worked through a clue, but it wasn't easy, with Demi’s delighted squeals filling the air. She sighed, glancing over to find the child now standing on her toes, arms stretched as high as she could manage in an attempt to catch one of the wisps hovering just above her reach. “Alright, alright,” Neve muttered, finally setting her quill down. She turned in her chair and held out her arms, motioning for Demi to come closer. “Come here, little shadow.”

Demi hesitated for only a second before padding over. Neve lifted her effortlessly, settling the child onto her lap. “You’re not going to catch them, you know. They like to tease.” Demi tilted her head, still watching the wisps as they hovered near, curious and amused. Neve sighed again, but this time, there was a softness to it. She reached for a small bundle of charcoal sticks on her desk and held one out to Demi. “Here,” she said, guiding the child’s hands toward a blank sheet of parchment. “Draw something for me.”

Demi’s fingers curled around the charcoal hesitantly, looking up at Neve for confirmation. When Neve nodded, the little girl finally pressed the tip to the parchment and began to draw—at first with slow, careful strokes, then with more enthusiasm as she lost herself in the movement. Neve watched in quiet amusement, letting Demi create whatever shapes her mind conjured. Meanwhile, the wisps drifted closer once again, drawn not just to the child’s playful spirit but to the quiet hum of magic that always lingered in Neve’s room. Demi, engrossed in her work, barely noticed when one of the wisps settled gently on her shoulder, its glow casting a faint shimmer over her curls. Neve did, however, and for a brief moment, she wondered if perhaps the spirits saw something in Demi that the rest of them had only begun to understand.

But the ones who intrigued Daisy the most were Lucanis and Spite. Despite her limited speech, Demi had taken to Lucanis with an undeniable fascination. Where most interactions with her involved spoken words or gentle touches, with Lucanis, it was different—mostly hand signs and gestures. She pointed, and he responded with careful consideration, his normally unreadable expression softening ever so slightly around her.

Ti’Lan had found a few children’s books in the Lighthouse library—an odd occurrence but not entirely unusual, given the mysterious nature of the place. Daisy explained that the Lighthouse sometimes provided things without explanation as if knowing what was needed before anyone asked. Ti’Lan used the books to encourage Demi’s speech, but her true obsession remained Lucanis. And Lucanis, despite himself, let her stay close.

By the fourth day, Daisy had returned from assisting the Veiljumpers, her body aching but her mind alert. She expected the usual noise upon entering the Lighthouse—the soft murmurs of conversation, the occasional clatter of movement, maybe Demi’s delighted squeals as she ran about. But tonight, there was only silence. A rare thing. She stripped off her light armor, rolling the stiffness from her shoulders before going to the kitchen for something to eat. She didn’t expect to find much this late, but what she did see made her stop in her tracks, breath catching in her throat.

Lucanis was at the stove, sleeves rolled up, focused on whatever meal he was preparing. But that wasn’t what made Daisy’s heart clench. It was Demi. The little girl stood beside him, perched on a stool so she could reach the table, an oversized apron tied snugly around her small frame. Her hands, covered in flour, pressed into the soft dough Lucanis had given her, her fingers curling as she tried to mimic his movements. He guided her gently, voice low as he gave her patient instructions. She was speaking, too—small, half-formed words escaping her lips, fragmented but determined.

Lucanis didn’t rush her, didn’t correct her too quickly. He nodded along, encouraging her with the softest smile Daisy had ever seen on him—a bittersweet and aching warmth bloomed in Daisy’s chest. The scene pulled at something deep inside her—memories of standing in the kitchen at home, sleeves rolled up as she helped the cooks knead bread, sneaking bits of dough when no one was looking. The quiet nights where she made food for new arrivals at the Necropolis, those too anxious to sleep in unfamiliar beds. The comforting weight of routine, of care, given without expectation. Then, Demi snapped her head to the side, looking past Lucanis with a sharp glare before loudly proclaiming, “No mean! Bad!”

Daisy blinked, surprised, before realizing exactly who the child was talking to. Spite. Lucanis sighed, amused but exasperated. “Ignore him,” he muttered, rolling his eyes at the unseen entity. Demi huffed, crossing her arms, making it very clear she disagreed with whatever Spite had said. Daisy bit back a laugh, pressing a hand to her mouth. Of course, Demi was standing up to Spite. The stubborn little thing had no fear.

Her gaze drifted back to Lucanis, watching how he interacted with Demi, the careful ease with which he handled her, and how his normally guarded expression softened around her. He rarely spoke of his upbringing, of the things he and Illario had endured, but Daisy knew it must have been harsh. She had only seen glimpses of what had shaped him into the man he was now.

And yet, here he stood—patient, kind, offering warmth in a way she wasn’t sure he even realized. She swallowed, something tightening in her throat. I’m grateful for you, she thought. But she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

Demi’s head snapped up the moment Daisy stepped into the kitchen. Her bright eyes locked onto Daisy’s face, and in the next instant, she let out a delighted squeal. “Sister!” Before Daisy could react, the little girl had launched herself off the stool, her tiny feet pattering against the floor as she ran full force into Daisy’s legs. Daisy barely had time to laugh before scooping her up, arms wrapping securely around the small, warm body pressed against her. She didn’t even care that Demi’s dough-covered hands smeared flour across her cheek and into her hair.

“Hello, my little one,” Daisy murmured, pressing a soft kiss to Demi’s head. “Are you helping make dinner?” Demi nodded furiously, the words tumbling from her lips in an excited, jumbled mess. Daisy just smiled, nodding along as if she understood every bit of it. She lowered Demi back onto the stool, brushing a stray curl from her face. “And what’s for dinner?” she asked, shifting her gaze toward Lucanis.

He barely spared her a glance as he focused on stirring the simmering pot on the stove. “Pasta with clams,” he answered. “I wanted to use them before they went bad, and Emmrich can eat it.”

Daisy hummed in approval, stepping a little closer, breathing in the familiar scent of garlic and herbs. “It smells wonderful.”

Lucanis let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. “Flatter me all you want, but you’re still on dish duty.”

Daisy laughed, shaking her head as she leaned against the counter. “Fair enough.”

Lucanis spared her a glance, his expression shifting as his voice dropped. “How did it go?”

Her shoulders stiffened just slightly before she sighed. “Good. Bellara met with her brother, and we helped some of the Veiljumpers.” She hesitated, glancing down at the flour-dusted counter, tracing an idle pattern with her finger. “I’m worried about Bellara, though. I hope we can save her brother.”

Lucanis didn’t hesitate. “You'll find a way.” His voice was steady, certain like it was the only truth that mattered. Daisy’s breath hitched slightly at the quiet conviction in his tone, her gaze lifting to meet his. The moment stretched between them, thick with something unspoken, something more.

And then, his voice softened further, a hesitant edge creeping into it. “Daisy, about before… in the pantry…” Her heart stuttered in her chest. She knew this conversation would come. She had spent the past few days thinking about it, replaying the moment over and over again in her mind—his touch, his breath warm against her skin, the tension that crackled between them like a live wire.

She stopped him with a smile—soft, patient, full of understanding. “Please, Lucanis, I haven’t forgotten.” She took a small step forward, not enough to crowd him but enough to close just a fraction of the space between them. “I’ve been thinking about it, and if you’re not ready, I won’t push you.” Lucanis swallowed, his grip tightening just slightly around the wooden spoon in his hand. “I would very much like to talk about what happened,” Daisy continued, voice gentle but firm. “I do have feelings on the matter— not bad! But I would like to discuss it.”

Lucanis exhaled slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing as his lips parted. His next breath was almost shaky. He nodded, the ghost of something unreadable flickering across his face. “Thank you,” he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. His eyes met hers, steady now, open. “I… would very much like that, too.”

Daisy let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. Her hands fidgeted at her sides, and the warmth in Lucanis’s eyes wasn’t helping her steady herself. “Me too…” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. But then she realized what she said, and her face burned. “I mean—ah—need any help?”

Lucanis’s lips quirked into an amused smile—slow, knowing, utterly unfair. His eyes flickered with something that made Daisy feel unreasonably warm. “Yes, actually,” he said, the teasing lilt in his voice making her heart stutter. Before she could react, he placed the wooden spoon in her hand, his fingers brushing against hers, lingering just a second too long. “You’re on stirring duty. Don’t let it stick.”

Daisy nodded too quickly and focused on the pot like it held the secrets of the Fade itself. Anything to keep her mind off the way her pulse had suddenly decided to race. Lucanis turned back to Demi, helping her finish rolling the pasta. He talked as he worked, his voice smooth and easy, telling them about his day. Daisy half-listened, stirring the pot with more focus than was probably necessary. “Spite has been bugging me less,” Lucanis admitted after a while. “A little bit. His attention is… elsewhere.”

Daisy arched a brow. “You mean on someone who can actually see him?”

Lucanis huffed a laugh. “Pretty much. He’s fascinated. I think he’s trying to determine whether Demi is a threat or a curiosity.”

Daisy smirked. “She is both. Tiny and chaotic.”

As Daisy stirred the pot, her attention drifted—not to the food but to Lucanis’s hands. They moved with practiced ease, strong fingers kneading the dough, guiding Demi’s smaller hands as he shaped it with careful precision. His touch was steady, sure, and patient, making Daisy’s stomach twist with something unfamiliar. She swallowed hard, watching how his hands flexed, the dusting of flour clinging to his skin, the slight curl of his fingers as he rolled the dough into smooth ribbons. Focus, Daisy. But it was impossible when her gaze kept flickering back to him. The way his sleeves were pushed up, exposing his forearms—toned, lined with faint scars that told stories she didn’t yet know. How his fingers pressed firmly, then gently, shaping the dough with a kind of tenderness she wasn’t sure he realized he had. Daisy felt warmth creep up her neck, her face heating against her will. She clenched the spoon tighter, stirring with a little too much force. The soft bubbling of the pot was the only thing keeping her grounded.

Lucanis must have noticed something—perhaps the way she had gone quiet—because he glanced up, catching her staring. Daisy’s heart stopped. His lips quirked, slow and teasing. “You OK over there?”

She definitely stirred too hard. Heat flooded her cheeks as she snapped her gaze back to the pot. “Fine! Just… concentrating.”

Lucanis hummed, clearly amused. “On cooking or something else?”

Daisy nearly choked. She shot him a glare, but it held no real bite, and Lucanis’s smirk only widened. She turned back to the pot, desperate to regain some composure. “You’re insufferable.”

Lucanis chuckled, rolling another perfect strip of pasta. “And yet, you keep staring.”

As if on cue, Demi finished the last of the pasta and immediately darted away, racing off to gather everyone for dinner. The kitchen suddenly felt quieter without her, and Daisy found herself hyper-aware of the way Lucanis moved beside her and of the space—or lack thereof—between them. She cleared her throat, forcing herself to focus on laying out the plates once he took over at the stove. Her hands felt clumsy, her mind still tangled in the lingering warmth of Lucanis’s touch, the way his voice had dipped just slightly.

She swallowed hard. Maker, this was going to be a long dinner.

~oOo~

Daisy was expecting someone else, anyone else.

Not her mother to come waltzing into the Lighthouse with Alilya and Myrna standing beside her. The sight was so unexpected that Daisy momentarily forgot how to breathe. Her mother carried herself with her usual regality, her Mourn Watch robes flowing effortlessly as if she had stepped out of a grand hall rather than the rugged path leading up to the Lighthouse. Alilya looked as beautiful as ever, the years never seeming to touch her, though the unfortunate odd coloring of her hair—a striking, unnatural pink—was a glaring reminder of childhood events. Daisy took some responsibility for its current state, but her own locks had also suffered a similar fate. Still, on Alilya, the pink stood out far more, an unspoken but undeniable mark of their latest misadventure.

"Ma, I didn’t expect you to come!" Daisy said, her voice bursting with joy as she rushed forward to embrace the woman.

When they pulled away, Lady Catalina—Ma to her children, Lady Kitty to her closest friends—rested her hands against her child’s face, her fingers cool and gentle, as if reassuring herself of Daisy’s presence. "I haven't seen you since... well, when you were injured, and we couldn't be there in person." Lady Kitty’s voice wavered, her usual composure cracking. Her lips pressed together as she fought back emotion, but the memory was too powerful. She had knelt beside Daisy’s healing bed, unable to hold her child, unable to offer comfort beyond whispered words through a magical barrier. The anguish of that helplessness still lingered in her eyes.

"I promise I'm alright." Daisy leaned into her mother's hands, a smile easing onto her lips. "I've improved with close combat and learned new spells for dealing with large groups. Besides, you’ve met some of the others. I have a good team looking out for me."

"Ah, that reminds me—where is Lucanis? I would very much like to thank him in person." Lady Kitty’s tone shifted, warmth returning as she suddenly smushed Daisy’s cheeks together, making her daughter flail in protest.

"In the kitchen making lunch for everyone since Myrna was kind enough to give me a heads-up," Daisy managed to say after wresting free from her mother’s iron grip.

"I figured you would appreciate a warning and that you would have the child ready for departure," Myrna chimed in, amusement twinkling in her eyes as she observed the affectionate chaos.

"Where is our new baby sister?" Alilya interjected, her excitement evident. Josie and Eloise picked out all her clothing already. I brought a new dress for her to wear on the way back."

Daisy’s expression sobered slightly. "I believe she's hiding with Manfred, Emmrich’s skeleton ward. I told her she would be leaving, and she got upset. I explained she would be going to my home, but I don’t think she understands."

A beat passed, and then Daisy suddenly remembered something—an important piece of information she had conveniently neglected to share earlier. "Oh, Ti’Lan is here." Silence stretched across the room like a drawn bowstring. Alilya and Lady Kitty both turned sharply to stare at her. The air in the Lighthouse seemed to shift, charged with something unspoken but unmistakably dangerous. "Ti’Lan!" Daisy called out, her voice carrying through the halls.

From Emmrich’s room, a figure emerged, stepping onto the upper landing. Ti’Lan leaned over the railing, his face a mixture of apprehension and resignation. His sharp eyes scanned the gathered women, then locked onto one in particular. He opened his mouth to speak, but his words barely formed before he was forced to lurch to the side. A bolt of lightning crackled through the air, barely missing his head. Alilya stood, her hand outstretched, her face a perfect mask of cold fury. Static energy danced at her fingertips, the remnants of the spell she had just cast still shimmering in the dim light.

Ti’Lan swallowed hard. "Alilya... you’re here..."

"Where have you been, dear husband of mine?" The words dripped with venom, her hands crackling again with barely restrained power.

Ti’Lan let out a nervous chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck as he took an instinctive step backward. "Now, love, let’s not do anything hasty—"

Another bolt of energy snapped past him, sending the smell of singed fabric into the air.

"Hasty? Hasty?!" Another bolt shout out. "You left me two days after our wedding?! And all I received were letters of apology and that you were still alive!" She rounded the corner for the staircase to stalk her prey slowly. "You refuse to come home while I've been patiently waiting for you!"

"Did she just say husband and wife?" Daisy asked out loud to no one in particular.

"Apparently, while you were away, the two met you and married in Antiva, and then I proceeded to comfort your sister when she told me how your brother left her," Lady Kitty said, crossing her arms over her chest. And he will receive no help from me! You are fortunate that your mother is not here!"

"Fortunate?!" Alilya screeched. "I'm about to become a widow shortly."

Another crackle of energy lit up the air as Ti’Lan backed further against the railing, sweat beading on his forehead. "Now, Alilya, dearest—surely we can talk about this like civilized—" A third bolt shot forward, sending Ti’Lan scrambling down the staircase in sheer panic.

Daisy watched in a mixture of horror and amusement as her married siblings tore through the room like overgrown children, their laughter echoing off the stone walls. Ti’Lan dodged a chair Alilya had nearly kicked over in her haste to catch him, his silver-streaked hair a blur as he pivoted sharply. Their game of cat and mouse came to a sudden halt when Ti’Lan seized his wife by the waist, spinning her into a deep dip before pressing a firm, passionate kiss to her lips. Alilya’s protests faltered, her flustered expression warring between indignation and adoration. She huffed against his lips, her hands braced against his chest, but before she could say anything, she pulled him down to her level and kissed him just as fiercely.

Daisy made a loud, exaggerated gagging sound. "Ugh, can you two do that somewhere else?" Her mother swatted the back of her head, muttering something about minding her own business, but Daisy only grinned, rubbing the spot where she’d been hit. The commotion had drawn the attention of their companions, some watching with amused grins, others raising their brows at the spectacle of Daisy's siblings.

Ti’Lan finally pulled away, breathless but smiling. His golden eyes softened as he met Alilya’s gaze. "I never really intended to leave," he admitted, his voice low but sincere. "I was a coward. I knew I could never say no to the woman who has held my heart for so long. If you had asked me to crawl home, I would have." He lifted a hand to cup her cheek, thumb brushing against the warmth of her flushed skin. "But I still wanted to keep traveling. To learn, to see more of the world." Alilya opened her mouth to argue, but Ti’Lan silenced her with another kiss, slower this time, as though trying to pour all his unsaid words into her. When he finally pulled back, he rested his forehead against hers. "You would have followed me," he murmured. "And I didn’t want you to be without a home for so long. You would have wanted to return sooner than I would have liked."

Alilya’s foot tapped impatiently against the stone floor, arms crossing over her chest as she arched a brow. "And you bringing home a child is reason enough?"

Speaking of the child, the doors to the library creaked open, and Demi stepped in hesitantly, her small hand clutching tightly onto Emmrich’s. The towering man moved with slow, measured steps, his usual confidence tempered by the delicate presence of the child at his side. Demi’s dark eyes darted around the room, filled with uncertainty, and at the sight of so many unfamiliar faces, she shrank back, pressing herself behind Emmrich’s legs as if they could shield her from the world. Daisy’s expression softened. Without hesitation, she stepped forward and crouched slightly, offering a warm smile. "Hey there, little one," she said gently. When Demi didn't move, Daisy reached out, her hands steady and patient. After a moment’s hesitation, the girl allowed herself to be lifted into Daisy’s arms, though she still clung to Emmrich's sleeve until her tiny fingers slipped away.

Daisy carried her back toward the others, her tone light but firm. "Everyone, this is Demihan but we've been calling her Demi for short." Lady Kitty was the first to step forward, her movements slow and careful as if approaching a skittish animal. She knelt slightly, giving the child a warm smile. "Hello, little one," she greeted in a gentle, melodic tone.

Demi’s fingers curled into Daisy’s tunic, her grip tightening, but she peeked up at Lady Kitty through her lashes, her expression wary yet intrigued. Alilya, ever perceptive, lowered herself to the girl’s eye level, her sharp features softening as she studied the child. "Demi," she murmured, testing the name with a small nod. "That’s a strong name." She let a beat pass before adding, "You must be very brave." The little girl said nothing, only shifting in Daisy’s arms, uncertain but listening.

Daisy adjusted her hold on Demi, giving her a reassuring squeeze. "You don’t have to be scared," she whispered, her voice meant only for the child. "This is my ma and my big sister. They're going to be apart of your family now just like me and Ti'Lan."

Demi didn’t respond, but for the first time since entering, her tiny fingers loosened their grip on Daisy’s tunic. It was the smallest shift, but Daisy took it as a victory. Seizing the moment, she offered a cheerful distraction. "How about we get some lunch?" she suggested, her voice light and inviting. Demi hesitated, glancing up at her uncertainly, but the idea of food seemed to pull her from her nervous silence. Daisy took that as a silent agreement. Turning to her gathered companions, who had all been watching with varying degrees of curiosity, she smirked. "You lot look nosy enough—why don’t you all come along?"

With murmurs of agreement, the group made their way toward the kitchen, their collective footsteps echoing softly against the stone floors.

Inside, Lucanis was busy pouring himself a cup of coffee, his usual sharp focus fixed on the task—until he sensed the sudden influx of bodies flooding the room. He turned, mug halfway to his lips, blinking at the unexpected crowd now filling the kitchen. Before he could react, Lady Kitty slipped forward, stepping into his space and wrapping her arms around him in a warm embrace. Her voice was barely above a whisper as she murmured a soft "Thank you." Lucanis stiffened slightly, caught off guard, but as she pulled away and inclined her head toward where Daisy was gently helping Demi onto a chair, understanding dawned in his dark eyes. He gave Lady Kitty a small, almost imperceptible nod in acknowledgment.

A moment later, he was at Daisy’s side, his presence calm but grounding. His hand settled on her shoulder, a quiet gesture of support. "Want to help me pass out lunch?" he asked.

Daisy grinned, rolling up her sleeves. "I thought you’d never ask."

Plates were soon distributed, filled with warm, hearty food that sent the scent of roasted meat and fresh bread through the air. As people dug in, voices filled the space with conversation and laughter. Thanks and compliments were passed around, many directed at Lucanis. Though he gave only short nods and gruff acknowledgments, there was no mistaking the way his ears turned slightly red under the attention. He was never one for the spotlight, but for once, he took the praise in stride—especially when he caught Demi taking a cautious first bite, her expression shifting from wary to something softer, something almost resembling comfort.

As Lucanis passed out the last plate, his sharp eyes drifted toward Demi. She was still quiet but no longer withdrawn as she listened to Daisy talk. There was something different now—the way her shoulders weren’t as tense, the way she no longer flinched when someone spoke too loudly. A little light had returned to her eyes. She was happy. Still, that tightness in his chest didn’t ease.

"I don’t understand." Lucanis didn’t even need to look to know Spite had appeared beside him again. The demon was perched lazily on the counter, arms crossed, his purple eyes narrowed in confusion. "She's happy and now she’s leaving?"

Lucanis sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "She’s not just leaving. She’s going to Daisy’s family. She’ll have a real home there."

Spite scoffed, slunking further into a pout. "So? She has home here." His gaze flickered toward Demi, who was now tentatively smiling as Daisy nudged her playfully. "She’s happy. She’s safe. Why change that?" Lucanis didn’t answer immediately. Instead, his eyes lingered on the scene before him—Daisy, laughing as she ruffled Demi’s hair, the girl scrunching up her nose in protest but not pulling away. His thoughts drifted, unbidden, to something else entirely. A vision, hazy yet persistent, surfaced in his mind. Not just Demi, but more. Children with Daisy’s bright eyes and mischievous smile, running through a sunlit field. A home filled with warmth, laughter, and something he’d never thought he could have.

His grip tightened around the edge of the counter. Why was he thinking about that now?

Spite turned his head, staring at him with something between amusement and genuine curiosity. "What was that?" he asked, tilting his head. "Daisy was there. Since when do you dream of things. Like. That?"

Lucanis exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "It doesn’t matter."

Spite grinned, his sharp teeth glinting in the dim kitchen light. "Oh, but it does," he purred. "You're actually thinking about a future. Your future." He gave a mock gasp. "How unlike you."

Lucanis shot him a look. "Shut up."

But Spite only laughed, his form flickering before vanishing into the shadows once more. Lucanis turned back to the table. Demi was smiling now, a real, bright smile as Daisy continued talking, completely at eas.

She would be okay. And as for him…

Maybe, just maybe, he’d be okay too.

Goodbyes were always hard, and this one was no exception. Demi was passed from one set of arms to another, each embrace lingering just a little longer than necessary. Tears were shed, though no one wanted to call attention to them. Even Lucanis, who had remained quiet through most of the farewell, ruffled Demi’s hair in a rare show of affection before stepping back, his expression somewhat sad. Demi sternly but sadly told Spite to be nice, Emmrich chuckling at whatever the spirit had answered her with. Demi clung tightly to Daisy when it was her turn, her small hands fisting in the fabric of Daisy’s tunic. "No go." she mumbled against her shoulder.

Daisy sighed, pressing a kiss to the top of the girl's head. "You're not going forever, bug," she reassured her, rocking her slightly. "You’re going somewhere safe, somewhere where you can pratice your magic."

Lady Kitty stepped in then, her voice gentle but firm. "And you won’t be alone, sweet one." She glanced at her son, giving him a look that left no room for argument. "Ti’Lan will be going with you."

Ti’Lan, who had up until now been watching in relative silence, straightened, eyes widening slightly. "Wait, what?"

His mother turned fully to him, her hand resting on his arm. "She’s going to need time to adjust, and having another Qunari with her will help. She trusts you already," she reasoned. "You can help ease her transition, help her feel like she belongs."

Ti’Lan’s jaw tightened, his gaze flickering to Daisy as if hoping she would object. But Daisy, to his dismay, nodded in agreement. "She's right," Daisy said. "And besides, with the gods spreading their power, you'll be safe in Nevarra. It’s better that you go home for now."

Ti’Lan crossed his arms, clearly resisting. "You need me out here," he argued. "I should be with you."

But Daisy didn’t waver. She reached out, gripping his forearm. "I need you home more." Her voice was firm, but there was something else in it—something that told him this wasn’t just about Demi. "If anything happens, I need to know the others have you there. I need someone I trust watching over them."

"Not to mention you have a beautiful wife that would like some time with her husband for once." Alilya wrapped her arms around his,

Ti’Lan looked at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a heavy sigh, he relented. "...Fine. Only because I'm outnumbered here."

Daisy smiled, though there was a hint of sadness behind it. "Good."

Demi sniffled, rubbing her face against Daisy's tunic before pulling back, looking up at Ti’Lan with red-rimmed eyes. "...You too?" she asked softly.

Ti’Lan gave a small, reassuring nod. "Yeah, kid. I’m coming too."

That seemed to comfort her, at least a little. One by one, the final goodbyes were said. And as Demi finally stepped away, her small hand slipping into Ti’Lan’s, Daisy let out a slow breath, willing herself to believe that this was for the best. Because in the end, protecting the people she loved meant sometimes having to let them go.

~oOo~

That night, Daisy mustered up the courage to seek Lucanis out. He was where he usually was, leaning over the fireplace, deep in thought, "Lucanis, do you have some time to talk...about what happened?" Lucanis stiffened where he stood by the fire. "If you're not ready, I can wait."

Lucanis was quiet for a moment, his eyes flickering in some unknown doubt, raging inside before he spoke softly. “Would you like something? I can make it for you.”

“Ciccolada calda? If that’s not too much to ask?” Lucanis’s eyes crinkled at the sides with his smile; wordlessly, he nodded in response. He made her favorite drink in silence as Daisy sat in the front of the fire, the heat warming her nervous bones. Wordlessly, Lucanis came back, setting down two cups on the table. There was silence. Daisy wrapped her hands around the warm cup, focusing on the heat bleeding into her fingertips. She could feel Lucanis’s gaze on her, but she kept her eyes on the dark liquid inside the cup, swirling it gently to distract herself.

Lucanis sat across from her, his movements careful, measured—as if he were holding himself back. The tension between them was thick, nearly unbearable, and Daisy swallowed hard before finally speaking. “Lucanis…” Her voice was softer than she intended. She cleared her throat and tried again. “About what happened… in the pantry.”

Lucanis inhaled sharply through his nose, his grip tightening around his own cup. His shoulders were stiff, the firelight casting flickering shadows over his face, accentuating the sharp angles of his features. For a long moment, he said nothing. Daisy fidgeted, gripping the ceramic tighter, her nerves hammering her heart against her ribs. The silence stretched, and she felt the creeping weight of doubt settle in. "I can wait, Lucanis; we don't have to discuss it.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, but she meant it. She wasn’t about to force this conversation if he wasn’t willing.

Lucanis’s fingers tapped against his cup—a slow, rhythmic movement, betraying the battle waging inside him. Then, he exhaled, long and controlled, before finally looking at her. His eyes softened, but the hesitation was still there, lingering. “It’s not that I don’t want to talk,” he admitted, his voice quieter than usual. “I just…” He trailed off, his jaw working as he struggled to find the right words. “I don’t want to ruin this.”

Daisy’s breath hitched. “Ruin what?”

Lucanis gave a dry chuckle, shaking his head as he leaned back, running a hand through his hair. “Us.”

The admission sent a shiver through her. She hadn’t expected him to be so blunt, but Lucanis was nothing if not honest when it truly mattered.

Daisy licked her lips, setting her cup down so she wouldn’t crush it with how tightly she was holding it. “You wouldn’t ruin anything, Lucanis. Not with me.” He looked at her then, really looked at her, as if searching for any sign of doubt in her expression. When he found none, his tension eased just a little. "I meant what I said before. I have feelings about what happened—not bad ones.” A soft, nervous laugh escaped her. “Spirits, not bad ones at all.”

“You make it sound easy,” he murmured, voice laced with something unspoken.

Daisy smiled, though her heart was still racing. “Maybe it doesn’t have to be so complicated."

Lucanis let out a hollow chuckle, shaking his head, but there was no humor in it. It was just something to fill the silence, something to keep the inevitable from settling between them. “Nothing about us has ever been simple, Daisy. I’m a man possessed by a demon of spite.”

His voice was rougher now, carrying an edge that hadn't been there before. He wasn’t warning her—he was pushing her. He needed her to understand, to see the truth he had been living with every day. The weight of Spite curled in his bones, waiting, watching, whispering things he couldn't always drown out. But Daisy, as always, didn't flinch. “As if that’s supposed to scare me away?” she said, her voice steady, unwavering. “Spirit or not, I don’t see anything wrong with you."

Lucanis clenched his jaw. She should be afraid. Not because he wanted her gone—gods, never—but because he couldn't let himself have this. Not when the thing inside him was still there, still part of him. It was reckless. Selfish. You are a fool, Spite muttered in his mind, annoyed.

Lucanis ignored him.

"You should," he told Daisy, his voice quieter, but no less firm. "You should see something wrong with me. I won’t let you—” Let her what? Be with someone who loves her? Spite’s voice curled around the edges of his thoughts, unimpressed. We love her. Lucanis stiffened. "I'm not going to let her be with someone possessed by a demon." I won’t hurt her. Spite’s tone was calm, certain. Why are you making this so difficult? Lucanis gritted his teeth. "Because it is difficult. She deserves more than this—more than me."

Daisy crossed her arms, her brow furrowing. "Spite I am talking with Lucanis, once we are done I will be talking to you about this too." Daisy softened her tone, "Please Spite, for me."

Spite was quiet. Lucanis inhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair before glancing away. "How do you get him to listen to you?" Spite had lashed out at Daisy. Once. But he had never tried to harm her. If anything, the spirit tolerated her in a way that should have been impossible. But that didn’t mean it would always be that way.

"Because I treat him like I would anyone else. Sometimes cautious but I treat him as if I was speaking to you." Daisy placed her cup on the table. "With kindess, patience, and sometime a stern word." His eyes flickered to hers, the firelight casting golden reflections in her gaze. She was looking at him as if he was just a man. Not something cursed, not something to fear—just him. Her fingers twitched at her side, a small movement, barely noticeable. But he caught it. She wanted to reach for him. She always did. And he wanted to let her.

Then let her. Spite’s voice was almost gentle now, as if he couldn’t fathom why Lucanis was resisting this. Let us.

Lucanis exhaled sharply, shaking his head. No. He couldn’t. Daisy lifted her hand, just a fraction, hovering above his arm, so close he could feel the heat of it. A breath away. She hesitated for a moment, watching him carefully, as if waiting for him to pull away. But he didn’t. “Let me start small,” she whispered.

Lucanis swallowed hard. Spite sighed in his mind, amused and exasperated. You make things. So. Difficult. Maybe he did. But he had spent so long keeping people at arm’s length, so long convincing himself that he was too dangerous, too far gone. And yet, Daisy had never cared about what he thought he deserved. So for once, just once, he didn’t pull away.

Lucanis swallowed, his throat bobbing, and nodded once—hesitant but willing. Slowly, carefully, she let her fingertips brush against his sleeve, tracing the fabric with the lightest touch. He didn’t pull away. Emboldened, she let her fingers slide lower, past the cuff of his sleeve to graze his wrist. His pulse jumped beneath her fingertips. Lucanis inhaled sharply. Daisy froze. “Too much?” she asked softly.

He shook his head, his eyes locked onto hers. “No… just—different.” His voice was hoarse as if he were struggling against something unseen. “Good different.” Her heart clenched. Maker, he was trying. She turned her hand, slowly threading her fingers through his, giving him a way out if he wanted it. But instead of retreating, Lucanis squeezed her hand, just barely—uncertain but holding on.

Daisy’s lips parted, a slow warmth curling through her chest. “You don’t have to have all the answers right now,” she murmured. “I just want to know what you’re comfortable with.”

Lucanis exhaled like he had been holding his breath. His free hand twitched at his side before he brought it up, hesitating for only a moment before brushing his knuckles against her cheek. Daisy leaned into the touch instinctively, her eyes fluttering shut for a heartbeat. When she opened them again, Lucanis was watching her like she was something fragile and precious all at once. “I don’t want to mess this up,” he admitted, his thumb ghosting over her cheekbone.

Daisy smiled, warmth blooming in her chest. “Then let’s take our time.”

Lucanis’s lips parted like he wanted to say something else, but instead, he let his forehead rest gently against hers. Their breaths mingled, the space between them almost nonexistent. Neither of them moved to close the final distance, both lingering in the charged silence, waiting—savoring. “You have a choice, Lucanis, one I will always respect,” she asked, her voice softer now, as if afraid to shatter the fragile moment between them. “I care about you. As a friend, a part of this team, and as something more.” A small, hopeful smile tugged at her lips. “I’d like to explore that part with you. But I’ll understand if you’d rather we stay… friends.” The thought tightened her chest, but he deserved to choose, and she would never take that from him. "I'll tell you honestly that I've never...been with anyone in any... capacity." Daisy's eyes couldn't leave the floor. "But I would very much like to...be or hopefully be....with you. To experience this feeling with you."

“I care about you, Rook,” he murmured, his dark brown eyes as earnest as they were conflicted. “More than I can say. I…you should be with someone who knows what to do.”

Daisy couldn’t help but giggle, the sound light and warm, and Lucanis’s smile grew—just slightly, just enough to make her heart ache. It was fleeting, barely there, but real. And gods, she wanted more of it. “If I wanted anyone else, Lucanis,” she said, voice steady with quiet certainty, “I wouldn’t be here with you, sharing my feelings with someone I trust wholeheartedly.”

His lips parted, his breath hitching as if the words physically stopped him. As if he couldn’t quite believe them, couldn’t let himself believe them.

“Could you really be that patient?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Relief rushed through her, filling every space inside her heart. Lucanis wanted this. Maybe he couldn’t say it yet, maybe he was still fighting himself, but the longing was there, flickering behind his guarded expression. If he needed time, if he needed to take this one step at a time, she would be there. Step for step. No matter how long it took.

She smiled, warmth pooling in her chest as she reached out—not to take his hand, not yet, but to let her fingers rest just close enough for him to choose.

“With you?” she murmured, her voice soft but unwavering. “Always.”

Lucanis stared at her, searching her face as if waiting for some sign of doubt, some hesitation. But there was none. Daisy tilted her head, giving him a small, knowing smile. “And besides, I am a Mourn Watcher. There are rituals that take months to do properly. Being patient when it’s worth it in the end? I’ll wait as long as it takes if it means you’re comfortable. Nervous, maybe,” she teased gently, “but never uncomfortable.” Lucanis let out a slow breath, the tension in his shoulders loosening, just a little.

Daisy lifted her cup of cioccolata calda again, savoring the last sip, the rich sweetness coating her tongue. She sighed, content yet restless, the moment settling between them like something sacred. When she looked back at him, she found his dark eyes studying her—intense, searching, filled with something profound. Something that made her pulse quicken. Lucanis tilted his head, and for the first time, he didn’t look at her like he was afraid to want this. He looked at her like she was something fragile, something precious—something worth holding on to.

“You are certainly worth it,” he said, voice hushed, as though the words were a secret meant only for her. Her breath hitched. The way he looked at her—like she was the only thing in the room, the only thing that mattered—sent warmth curling through her, pooling low in her stomach.

“So are you,” she murmured, softer now, almost afraid to shatter the fragile moment between them. “Believe it or not.”

His lips parted slightly as if her words had surprised him. Then he laughed, a real, rich laugh that sent a delightful shiver through her. It was the kind of sound that could melt away the weight of the world and made her ache with the need to hear it again. “There you go again,” he said, shaking his head, something warm and wondering in his gaze.

“Oh? Am I parting your clouds of doom again?” she teased, though her voice was breathier now, her heartbeat too loud in her ears.

“I’m starting to find that I’m enjoying it,” he admitted, eyes still locked onto hers. Then, more quietly, more reverently, “One I can hardly believe I deserve.” Her heart twisted at the uncertainty in his voice. How could he not see what she saw? His smile was soft, almost hesitant, and it felt like he was holding himself back, balancing on the edge of something neither of them quite knew how to name.

“I have kept you long enough,” he said, although he didn’t move. “We both should get some sleep.” He reached for the empty cup in her hands, fingers barely brushing the ceramic as his voice became a whisper. Instead of pulling away, he stilled—then, slowly, hesitantly, his other hand reached up, covering hers.

Daisy forgot how to breathe.

His touch was warm, solid, and grounding. Daisy could feel the slight tremor in his fingers, and she wondered if he could feel hers.

Time slowed.

She searched his face, looking for doubt, for hesitation, for the mask he had tried to wear earlier. But there was none. No walls. No defenses. Just Lucanis—open, raw, standing before her with the same aching want that thrummed through her veins. The moment stretched between them, trembling, fragile, endless. His thumb traced a slow, tentative arc across the back of her hand, and she shivered at the barely-there touch. It was nothing—just a whisper of contact—yet it set her whole body alight.

One breath. Two. Three.

She wanted more. Needed more. But this—this delicate, unspoken thing between them—was enough.

For now.

After a long, aching moment, he exhaled and gently took the cup from her grasp, breaking the connection. She let out a slow, unsteady breath and saw how his shoulders dropped as he did the same. Lucanis picked up his empty cup and got to his feet, lingering just a heartbeat too long before he spoke. “I agree with your plan,” he said.

Liesl tilted her head, her pulse still unsteady. “And that is?”

“To figure this out,” he said, voice rough with emotion. “Together.”

Something in her melted.

Her smile turned shy, her giddy excitement tempered by something deeper, something more decadent. “Ah,” she murmured. “Of course.” Their eyes held, the air between them still charged, still humming with something unspoken.

Then, just as he turned to leave, he hesitated.

Daisy barely had time to register the shift before he turned and leaned down, slow and uncertain, giving her every chance to pull away. But she didn’t move. She couldn’t. His lips brushed her cheek, featherlight and fleeting yet somehow more intimate than if he had kissed her mouth. The warmth of it lingered, sinking into her skin and setting her entire body alight.

By the time she opened her eyes, he had already stepped back.

“Thank you, Rook,” he murmured, his voice lower and rougher than before. "Good night." Then he turned and walked away, his steps lighter, his shoulders less burdened. Daisy sat there, frozen, her fingers brushing absently over the spot where his lips had been. She let herself sink back onto her chair, eyes fluttering shut, heart pounding. Daisy could still feel the warmth of his touch, hear the quiet, reverent way he had said her name, and see his eyes had darkened, the longing he had tried and failed to hide. She smiled to herself, breath uneven, heart full.

Yes. This was worth the wait.

[thewardenisonthecase]

Early Morning

Lucanis Dellamorte x Grey Warden!Rook

Part two of Rest Easy

Read on AO3

Summary: The one in which everyone knows.

A/N: Small bonus chapter.

Bellara had woken up quite early, even if she had gone to sleep late, staying awake most of the night reading her serials. 

The downside of that was that her mind was quite foggy in the morning, and considering she had a full day ahead of her, she needed to clear her head. 

And what better way, she thought, than a nice cup of coffee. 

Slowly, she made her way to the kitchen. Lucanis never slept, which meant he would probably have some spare coffee to give her. Or maybe even brew a new one for her, as he often did. 

However, when Bellara entered the kitchen, she was surprised to see Lucanis wasn’t there. She called out his name but received no reply. 

Had by some miracle Lucanis slept through the night? Or worse, had Spite escaped with him? What if he was lost somewhere? 

Thoughts like these began to infiltrate Bellara’s mind when she heard snoring coming from the pantry. Instinctively, she decided to go check in there. Although it probably meant that Lucanis was asleep, she just wanted to make sure her friend was doing alright (and to reassure her anxious mind). 

She quietly opened a bit of the door, enough to take a peak, and as soon as she did, she had to stop herself from gasping. 

Lucanis was asleep…and on top of him was Rook. They were holding each other quite strongly, like one would grab a pillow when dreaming, not wanting to let go. 

Bellara couldn’t help but think this was just like her romance novels. For some time, she had noticed how Lucanis and Rook had been spending more and more time together. The stolen glances, the sighs. One night, when Rook was more intoxicated than usual, she had even confessed to Bellara about having a crush on him, but thinking it wouldn’t lead anywhere. She felt the same as she did when she read those romance novels in which the couple took too long to get together, internally screaming ‘just kiss him’ whenever she saw the two of them around the Lighthouse making eyes at each other. 

Now, Bellara felt like she was reading the conclusion to the story, when  the protagonists finally admitted their love and spent the night together. 

‘Wait, no, don’t think about that about your friends, Bellara.’ She thought. ‘I should go before one of them wakes up.’ 

She carefully took a step back, closing the door with the utmost caution. She sighed in relief, until she heard a voice behind her. 

“Don’t think about what?” Harding had asked. 

“Oh, Lace! I-I didn’t see you there.” Bellara said nervously, realizing she had spoken out loud.  “What are you doing here, it’s so early.” 

Harding raised a brow. “This is the time I usually wake up to drink coffee.” She pointed towards the door. “Is Lucanis inside, I need-”

“No!” Bellara shouted, barring the door. “I mean, uh, he can’t do coffee right now.” 

At that moment, Neve walked into the kitchen, having heard what Bellara said. 

“Why? Is he sick?” She crossed her arms. “And why are you standing like that over the door?” 

Bellara began to sweat in panic. “No, he’s just…he well, uhm, he asked me, to-to not let anyone in. He didn’t want to be bothered this early.” 

“Truly?” Neve said, a brow raised in disbelief. “I remember Lucanis usually being very awake at this hour.” 

“Well, he-he told me he wanted to sleep in today.” 

Harding’s eyes widened. “This truly is the weirdest time to be alive.” 

Neve gave Bellara a sympathetic look. “Look, Bel, you’re a great friend, so I say this with no malice. You’re a terrible liar.” 

Bellara sighed. 

“Why are we hanging out in the kitchen?” Taash said, as they too entered. 

“We, uh,-” 

“Bellara, dear, is everything alright there? You seem quite distressed.” Emmrich asked her, having followed behind Taash. 

“Professor! Everything’s good, I just-”

“Has anyone seen Rook?” Finally, Davrin walked in and Bellara lost it. 

“THEY’RE IN THE PANTRY!” Bellara shouted. “Lucanis and Rook are sleeping in the pantry!” 

Silence befell the kitchen as everyone stared at Bellara. 

“What?!” Davrin asked in disbelief.

“Oh my…” Emmrich covered his mouth with his hand. 

“So that’s why you were acting weird.” Neve said

“When you say sleeping…”  Taash began “do you mean-”

“Like Rook on top of Lucanis. The two holding each other like teddy bears.” Bellara said hurriedly. 

“They were definitely doing it.” 

“Taash!” Harding reprimanded. “Not everything is sex.”

“But it sounds like it!” They defended themselves. “I mean-”

Before they could continue, the door to the pantry swung open, and an angry Rook looked at all of them.

“Can you all keep it quiet?! Some of us are trying to sleep.” 

The door to the pantry closed with a bang, and the sound of a key being turned was heard as all hell broke loose in the kitchen. 

Rook sighed, turning to Lucanis, who had a tired smile on his lips. “I think they all know about us now.” 

“It was bound to happen.” 

She flicked her wrist, casting a silencing spell on the door, to cut off the noise of the banging and shouting from the other side. She walked towards him, sitting on the bed. “You do know that means they’ll talk, right?” 

He shrugged. “Let them. As long as I have you with me, I do not mind.” 

Rook smirked. “Charmer.” She gave him a small and quick peck on his cheek before saying. “Now lay down again. I have a week’s worth of sleep to make up.”

He chuckled, resuming the position they were in. “As you wish.”

[cherrypikkins]

allow me to be insufferable for a second.

My midgame canon for my Rook x Lucanis is that Lucanis sees Seiren and Davrin hanging out, both Wardens, both caring for Assan, both going out on private outings in the Arlathan wilds, both going through the sort of struggles and dynamics known only to those of the order they both belong to. Sees them trade stories about life in Hossberg and Weisshaupt. Sees their camaraderie as they fight side-by-side against Blight and Darkspawn alike. Sees her smile and laugh and grin when Davrin makes a joke that only the two of them understand.

And he thinks, there's no way he can get in between that, no way he can compete, because he can't understand Seiren the way Davrin can and can't be what she needs. Because a Grey Warden has enough to worry about without a confused abomination like him to complicate things, right?

Except Davrin sees Seiren as more like a sister-in-arms, and is perfectly fine with her being with Lucanis if it means she can experience real happiness with someone having little to do with Blight and Darkspawn and her inevitable Calling. Because he knows that is what she really wants and has no problem nudging the two of them a bit closer together.

…with the caveat that if Lucanis ever breaks her heart, Davrin will personally hunt him down and feed him to the griffons.

[woundedsoul12]

Satinalia Morning - WoundedSoul - Dragon Age: The Veilguard (Video Game) [Archive of Our Own]

Summary:

Davrin has never heard of Satinalia. When Neve and Lucanis reveal the holiday, the Warden knows he has to find the perfect present for his Rook. The gang helps out, and they spend the perfect Satinalia (Christmas) morning together

[drades-lair]

Worries

Fandom: Dragon age: The Veilguard

Rating: T

Pairing(s): Lucanis/Rook

“Mierda, does this path ever end?” Lucanis complained as he followed Rook along a path, weaving the Rivaini coast heading towards the Eluvian that originally spat them into this place.

“Quit griping, we’re almost there,” Rook chuckled over their shoulder.

“Humph, I look forward to being back at the lighthouse,” Lucanis retorted.

“That’ll be a change, that you or Spite talking?” Rook shot back.

“Perhaps a bit of both,” Lucanis responded with a small smirk.

“Oh-ho, you two are positively adorable,” Emmrich chimed in having been following off to Lucanis’ left.

“Huh!? Shut up! We are not!” Rook indignantly declared with a massive blush across their features which only accomplished in making Emmrich laugh harder followed by Lucanis joining in.

Continuing down the path a rustle from nearby caught Lucanis’ attention, looking around cautiously he tried to pinpoint the sounds’ location. Spite manifested next to him with a snarky sneer, glancing up with a hiss as he pointed to a hidden foe on the nearby mountain preparing to pounce on Rook.

“Damn it! Rook!” Lucanis cursed, lunging towards Rook.

“Wha-ah! Oof!” Rook cried out as Lucanis grabbed them and tossed them to the side just as the venatori scout leapt down.

Lucanis snarled reaching for his dagger on his right hip while turning towards the Venatori scout unfortunately the short hesitation of tossing Rook out of the way was just enough to slow his reaction. The Venatori scout swiped at Lucanis with a dagger of his own luckily missing as Lucanis dodged unfortunately the awkward movement knocked him off balance causing Lucanis to stumble momentarily promptly providing an opening for the Ventori scout to thrust the dagger he was using into Lucanis’ side. Ordinarily Lucanis’ armor would be enough to block the blow unfortunately this scout was skilled, managing to find a spot where the layering was thin allowing the silverite blade to pierce easily through.

“Ugh…damn…” Lucanis trailed off in a strained tone, struggling to grip the Venatori’s wrist to prevent him from shoving the dagger deeper.

“Lucanis!” Rook cried out, leaping to their feet and thrusting their staff towards the Venatori scout. A ball of glowing blue energy smacked the Venatori scout in the side, sending him soring backwards with a grunted curse as smoke rose from the burnt spot on his leathers. Freed from the Venatori’s grasp Lucanis fell to a knee with one hand clutching around the dagger still embedded in his side, groaning in agony while trying to control his breathing.

“No…NO!” Rook continued upon seeing Lucanis fall to a knee, hurrying to his side with Emmrich not far behind. Rook knelt beside Lucanis with their hands hovering over the dagger jutting from his side, blood beginning to soak his leathers in that spot.

“Try to keep calm, we must act swiftly,” Emmrich encouraged, rolling up the sleeves on his robes then grabbing Lucanis gently by the shoulders. Light pressure was all it took to encourage the rouge backwards, easing him onto the ground on his back with a pained grunting cry that made Rook flinch. Emmrich pulled a small blade from his belt to cut Lucanis’ leathers around the blade lodged in his side then pulled his waterskin from his belt loop to rinse the area all while Rook watched on with worry stitched upon their features. A roll of cotton fabric was the last thing Emmrich pulled from a pouch on his waist before yanking the blade from Lucanis’ side causing him to jerk violently with a pained cry that faded to grunts behind clenched teeth. Emmrich swiftly unrolled the cotton to secure it to Lucanis’ bleeding side managing to stanch it for the moment.

“Alright, we must hurry in getting him back to the lighthouse,” Emmrich insisted, moving to grab Lucanis under one arm while Rook copied the movement on the opposite side to get Lucanis up.

Awkwardly the two managed to get Lucanis through the Eluvian at which point Rook began calling out to their other companions for assistance. Davrin had been loitering around the main area when he heard Rook calling from the Eluvian room, hurrying to the base of the stairs just as Rook and Emmrich came through the Eluvian rooms door with Lucanis barely conscious hanging off their shoulders. Without hesitation Davrin moved to help support Lucanis promptly assisting Rook and Emmrich in getting their semi conscious companion up the stairs towards Emmrich’s room. Laying Lucanis on the table that normally held corpses in Emmrich’s room didn’t sit well with Rook, but they understood the necessity of doing so, meanwhile Davrin shot a confused look towards Rook along with a gesture towards Lucanis.

“We were attacked…Venatori…Lucanis, shoved me out of the way,” Rook briefly explained as Emmrich hurried up his winding staircase to locate some of his tools.

“Damn, what exactly happened?” Davrin asked in search of further details.

“He took a knife to the side,” Rook answered simply.

“Indeed, which is exactly why we must move swiftly,” Emmrich interjected, coming along side his ‘corpse table’ that now held Lucanis.  

“Right, what do you need me to do?” Davrin asked.

“Help me strip his armor,” Emmrich instructed, already working on undoing the various buckles that held bits of Lucanis’ armor in place.

Davrin nodded his understanding as he along with Rook began assisting in the removal of Lucanis’ leathers. Once Lucanis’ upper body was exposed Emmrich set to work tending the injury left by the knife, a process that wasn’t pleasant in the least despite magic being capable of treating most injuries it still needs a target and the mage performing it needs to know what they are healing. Davrin held Lucanis down with Rooks help as Emmrich poked around the wound in his side to find the precise areas of damage that needed immediate attention promptly causing immense pain to Lucanis who struggled against the hands that held him down. After what felt like forever Emmrich pulled back with a heavy yet triumphant sigh, dipping his bloodied hands into a small bowl of warm water he’d placed beside Lucanis on the table. Rook’s gut twisted seeing Lucanis laying in agony, chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath, skin coated in a thin layer of sweat from the strain he’d just been under. Emmrich dried his hands then reached for his stitching materials to finish up with the treatment, Rook gently brushed a strand of sweaty hair from Lucanis’ face moments before he opened his eyes.

“You two got this?” Davrin inquired.

“Yes, thank you for your assistance Davrin,” Emmrich confirmed with a nod.

“Alright, take care of him,” Davrin offered on his way out of Emmrich’s room.

“Rook…?” Lucanis trailed off in a raspy tone.

“Yeah…try to relax, Emmrich is tending your wound,” Rook stated, ghosting the backs of their fingers against Lucanis’ cheek.

“Mmm…are you alright?” Lucanis wondered followed by a wince as Emmrich began stitching his wound.

“Me? You’re the one who took a dagger to the side,” Rook questioned, brow furrowing slightly in confusion.

“Y-Yes…but you were the…target…ugh!” Lucanis grunted with a small jerk.

“Right…I’m fine,” Rook smiled softly while placing a gentle hand on Lucanis’ chest to steady him.

Steady, experienced hands had Emmrich stitching Lucanis’ wound swiftly, cleaning once finished then bandaging it. Once finished Emmrich took his tools to be cleaned on the upper portion of his room while Lucanis caught his breath with Rook remaining by his side, offering comfort in the form of gentle touches to the crows’ shoulder, upper arm…chest and face. Offering a weary smile to his concerned partner, Lucanis suddenly pushed himself up into a sitting position on the edge of Emmrich’s table promptly resulting in a startled gasp from Rook.

“LUCANIS! Lay back down!” Rook demanded, grabbing the rogue by the shoulders.

“I-I’m fine…Emmrich did a good job,” Lucanis insisted with a wince of pain.

“I don’t care if you think you’re fine or not, you’re still injured and need to rest,” Rook persisted, brow furrowing in irritated concern.

“I said…” Lucanis began to argue.

“NO! No more arguing, I’ll help you to my room but then you need to rest,” Rook commanded, gently maneuvering to sling one of Lucanis’ arms over their own shoulders to help him stand up.

Lucanis was taken aback by the uncharacteristic outburst by Rook, promptly shutting his mouth while allowing Rook to help him to their room. Laying on the shay Lucanis gave in to rest only to awaken an unknown amount of time later from the feeling of someone sitting on the edge of the shay next to him. Blinking his eyes open the visage of Rook came into view wearing a warm smile with a hint of hesitancy behind it that conveyed concern.

“R-Rook…?” Lucanis questioned.

“Sorry to wake you, Emmrich gave me a potion for your pain,” Rook revealed, holding a bottle in one hand containing a red liquid.

“Hmm, alright,” Lucanis mumbled, bringing a hand up to rub over his face before gingerly sitting up with Rook’s assistance. Grimacing once the potion was finished Lucanis handed the bottle back to Rook who set it on the table in front of the shay yet remained beside Lucanis.

“How are you feeling?” Rook inquired.

“Been better…been worse,” Lucanis responded with a small smirk.

“You always say that” Rook chuckled, tracing feather light touches along the bandages wrapped around Lucanis’ torso.

“It’s almost always true,” Lucanis retorted.

“You scared the crap out of me by the way,” Rook added, smile dropping to a frown.

“My apologies, it was not my intent to cause you distress,” Lucanis apologized.

“Mission NOT accomplished…I thought I’d lose you,” Rook chortled before returning to a serious tone.

“Humph, I’m a crow can’t have me failing missions I’ll be kicked out,” Lucanis joked with a soft laugh.

Rook didn’t respond nor smile at the sentiment instead they remained fixated on Lucanis’ wound as if replaying what happened would help accept it. Lucanis finally dropped his smile to reach a hand to Rook’s cheek, gently pulling their face towards him to redirect that focus.

“Hey, I’m fine. I’m right here, by your side…and I’m not going anywhere,” Lucanis insisted, rubbing his thumb along Rook’s cheek in a loving gentle manner.

“You can’t promise that” Rook retorted bringing a hand to cover Lucanis’.

“Perhaps not forever…but in this moment I can,” Lucanis responded with a warm smile returning to his lips.

“Mm…if I lost you…I don’t know what I’d…” Rook began, eyes squeezing shut with a grimace that the concept.

“Hush now…no more…” Lucanis interrupted Rook’s morbid thoughts to pull the younger into a gentle kiss that Rook didn’t fight.

Gently Rook positioned himself to lay on Lucanis’ chest with the crow’s arms draped over them, at which point involuntary tears flowed down their face. Rook buried their face into Lucanis’ chest with a muffled curse for allowing such ridiculous emotion run wild, clenching their hands into fists as Lucanis simply began rubbing their back and placing his chin atop Rook’s head. Nothing else was said Lucanis let Rook work through their emotions till eventually they fell asleep on the crow’s chest finally comfortable and content that Lucanis wasn’t going anywhere, at least for the moment.   

[thatgaymerguyb]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Dragon Age (Video Games), Dragon Age - All Media Types, Dragon Age: The Veilguard (Video Game) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Davrin/Rook (Dragon Age), Davrin & Rook (Dragon Age), Assan & Davrin (Dragon Age) Characters: Rook (Dragon Age), Davrin (Dragon Age), Taash (Dragon Age), Lucanis Dellamorte, Bellara Lutare, Emmrich Volkarin Additional Tags: Fluff, Short & Sweet, Mage Rook (Dragon Age), Named Rook (Dragon Age), Grey Warden Rook (Dragon Age), Male Rook (Dragon Age), Trans Male Rook (Dragon Age), Trans Rook (Dragon Age), Post-Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Fluff and Angst, Light Angst, Feels, Soft Davrin (Dragon Age), Davrin Lives (Dragon Age), POV Davrin (Dragon Age), POV Rook (Dragon Age), POV Alternating, Gap Filler, The Veil (Dragon Age), Romance, Love Letters, Romantic Fluff Series: Part 11 of A Life After Summary:

Rook finds a chest under the bed with letters that Davrin wrote to him while he was trapped in the fade. Short and sweet.